Stevenage 1-0 Crewe Alexandra

Francois Zoko was Stevenage's hero as his early goal gave League One's bottom club a desperately-needed victory over fellow strugglers Crewe.

Stevenage got off to an ideal start, in the fifth minute, when Zoko controlled the ball in the box and beat Crewe defender Mark Ellis before finishing.

Crewe top scorer Chuks Aneke twice went close to equalising for the visitors.

Zoko's 15th goal of the season leaves backmarkers Stevenage now six points adrift of 20th-placed Crewe.

Crewe made a change in goal, bringing back Neil Etheridge following his return on loan from Fulham earlier in the day.

Injury-hit Alex boss Steve Davis, missing eight outfield players, also had to make a further alteration to the starting line-up for Saturday's 3-1 win at local rivals Port Vale on Saturday, as on-loan Manchester City midfielder George Evans was sidelined with a foot problem.

Stevenage manager Graham Westley told BBC Three Counties Radio:

"We ground out a determined, but very ugly, 1-0 win

"When you get a goal after four minutes you hope it settles the nerves - I don't think it did.

"We'll realise on reflection that we have to be better in possession.

"In terms of grit, determination and work rate, they really did spend themselves tonight."

Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke:

"I don't think I've had so many players out with injury. It left us a bit short on the bench.

"I won't complain or use the ones we had missing as an excuse for the defeat because I felt we did enough to have at least got a point.

"I'm sure we will have some of our players back for Saturday's home game with Swindon."