Alex fire Iron to defeat

Crewe Alexandra built upon a first-minute goal from AJ Leitch-Smith as the recalled Luke Murphy netted a 73rd minute winner in a 2-1 victory at Scunthorpe United.

Leitch-Smith lashed in a tremendous 25-yard dipping half-volley after Mathias Pogba managed an early flick-on to give the visitors a real boost in their search for a return to winning ways following their opening day reversal.

But that advantage wasn't to extend past the quarter-hour mark as Mike Grella levelled from a corner. The former Leeds United striker tucked the ball in from a cross after ex-Huddersfield Town centre-back David Mirfin had already headed against the woodwork.

Crewe were struggling to find their usual passing approach and coming under increased pressure as the first-half progressed. Bobby Grant glanced wide from a corner and Harry Davis blocked from Andy Barcham.

The visitors also survived penalty claims when Grella went down under the challenge of Mark Ellis while an early second-half cross from Josh Walker narrowly escaped both Grant and Grella on the slide.

Callum Kennedy had been a summer target of the Alex and soon delivered for Grant to miss with an unopposed header, while Ashley Westwood curled over in reply before the visitors replaced goalscorer Leitch-Smith with Max Clayton.

But they almost fell behind when Jimmy Ryan crashed an effort against an upright and Walker was blocked on the follow-up.

Crewe gave a debut to latest on loan signing Harry Bunn on 71 minutes and were to forge ahead just a couple of minutes later. Teenage Manchester City Academy product Bunn was immediately involved when combining with Clayton for Murphy to prod home their winner.

Byron Moore later clipped the outside of a post for the visitors and Connor Jennings drove into the side-netting at the other end before the Alex could celebrate their first league win.

Scunthorpe United: Slocombe, Ribeiro, Kennedy, Mirfin, Newey, Walker (Keegan 87), Ryan, Gibbons, Grant, Grella, Barcham (Jennings 71)

subs (unused): Severn, Canavan, Howe, Hughes

Goals: Grella (15)

Crewe Alexandra: Martin, Davis, Ellis, Dugdale, Robertson, Westwood, Murphy, Osman, Pogba Booked (Bunn 71), Leitch-Smith (M. Clayton 65), Moore

subs (unused): Garratt, Turton, Ray, Mellor, Daniels

Goals: Leitch-Smith (1), Murphy (73)

Ref: Lewis

Att: 3,215

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