Crewe Alexandra 2-1 Coventry City

Teenager George Cooper's stunning free-kick helped bottom club Crewe Alexandra to victory over Coventry City.

Loan man Febian Brandy gave the Alex a 26th-minute lead at Gresty Road, sliding home from the edge of the box.

Cooper, also on his full home debut, doubled Crewe's lead six minutes later.

Anthony Grant put through his own net from Danny Pugh's early second-half free-kick but, with a man advantage after City midfielder Jack Finch was sent off on 82 minutes, Crewe held on.

Crewe's victory was only their second in 12 League One games this season, leaving them still bottom, three points adrift of 23rd-placed Scunthorpe United.

Coventry are just six points clear of Crewe, having slipped to 16th after a winless five-match run of just one point out of a possible 15.

The Alex were without joint top scorer Marcus Haber, who was away on a Canadian training camp in Mexico. By contrast, Coventry's Canadian forward Simeon Jackson was free to play, having been allowed to pull out of international duty.

Crewe manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke:

"We fully deserved it. The lads showed amazing fight and spirit and defended when they had to. Everybody has worked very hard all week to get a result like that.

"I said to George Cooper that the practice we did on free-kicks yesterday was worth it when it paid off and he got us that crucial second goal.

"And it was just nice to have Febian Brandy out there. He injured his calf almost on his first day and we have not been able to see enough of him. In the end, he was absolutely out on his feet and we had to change it but he did really well and as a real threat."

Coventry manager Steven Pressley told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire:

"I was disappointed with aspects. Not in terms of our work ethic, but there wasn't enough devilment in our performance in the first half.

"In the second half we really imposed ourselves, and it was a game we certainly should not have come away from with nothing.

"I've reminded the players that there are real standards at this football club. This is a massive club potentially, with a great travelling support. We have to be coming to these places and winning these games."