Crewe Alexandra 1-0 Oldham Athletic

Crewe midfielder Adam King hit his fifth goal of the season to see off Oldham Athletic

Adam King's first-half strike earned Crewe Alexandra their second win in five days to lift themselves off the bottom of the League One table.

The visitors almost took an early lead when Mark Yeates' free-kick was met by Brian Wilson, who nodded wide.

Crewe took the lead when Marcus Haber knocked down Semi Ajayi's free-kick to King who volleyed home.

On-loan Ryan Lowe came close to doubling the Alex's advantage, but he fired the ball wide of the far post.

A week on from losing 5-1 at home to Peterborough, Crewe's victory was only their second in 18 games at Gresty Road since 7 March.

It lifts them to 23rd, level on points with 21st-placed Oldham, who suffered a third straight defeat.

Steve Davis's side go above Barnsley, who drop to the foot of League One, despite their late equaliser against Sheffield United.

Crewe assistant manager James Collins told BBC Radio Stoke:

"After coming off a heavy defeat last Saturday, the players have responded brilliantly. We were 2-0 down on Tuesday night and fought back to win at Colchester and the lads had to dig in at times to follow that up with another win.

"When the wind is howling and the rain's coming down like it is, it's never going to picture perfect football but we didn't have too many scares.

"Adam King is about that, getting into the opposition box. That is what he does. He can improve his football and his defending in one against situations but he can get forward and get goals. They will always want you if you are a midfield player who can get forward and score goals."

Oldham Athletic manager David Dunn told BBC Radio Manchester

"It was really disappointing. The manner of which we played, the quality that we've shown in previous weeks at times to get us back in it wasn't there. I question the desire sometimes. Crewe are fighting for their lives and they outfought us which is so disappointing. Everyone on that pitch should be fighting for their lives because that's where we are in at the moment.

"Out there we've got players that are hiding, that's for sure. Too many players are asking other players to save them and get them out of the mess. There's no hiding place out on that pitch.

"We didn't look like creating a goal. At the end we had three up top and still didn't look like creating anything. I tried my best to try and spark it into life but it's not good enough."