Fifty up for the Alex

Skipper Luke Murphy and Mathias Pogba were both on target as Crewe Alexandra hit the fifty-points total with a 2-1 win at Colchester United.

The visitors went in front when Max Clayton's cross was handled by substitute Josh Thompson and Murphy converted from the spot midway through the first-half.

However, George Porter equalised just ahead of the interval before Murphy set-up top scorer Pogba for the winner with eighteen minutes remaining.

The recalled Clayton had an early shot blocked for the visitors while goalkeeper Steve Phillips denied former Crewe loanee Andy Bond and then Gavin Massey.

But the Alex forged in front when Murphy sent goalkeeper Sam Walker the wrong way with a 25th minute penalty after a handball decision inside the home area.

Defender Gregor Robertson then sidefooted a Clayton cross straight at the keeper as the visitors attacked again before Billy Clifford struck wide after Matt Tootle had lost possession at the other end.

Magnus Okuonghae also went close with a header from a U's corner that was cleared by Murphy, until Porter turned onto a Michael Smith cross to equalise just before the break.

Boosted by their reward it was the hosts on the front foot at the start of the second-half with Massey drilling straight at Phillips after some fine early defensive work from Harry Davis.

Goalscorer Porter then delivered for substitute Smith to hoist over before his own volley failed to seriously trouble keeper Phillips.

But it was the visitors retaking the lead when Murphy slipped in Pogba to claim his fourteenth goal of the season with a low shot that escaped Walker.

However, it needed a late block by Mark Ellis to avoid a second equaliser from on loan substitute Troy Hewitt before Smith and Bond were both wide late on.

Colchester United: Walker, Wright (Smith 34), Okuonghae, Eastman (Thompson 17), Wilson, White, Clifford, Bond, Porter, Morrison (Hewitt 74), Massey

subs (unused): Cousins, Bean, Ladapo, Compton

Goals: Porter (42)

Crewe Alexandra: Phillips, Tootle, Davis, Ellis, Robertson, Murphy, Osman, M. Clayton (Turton 86), Pogba (Dugdale 90), Leitch-Smith, Moore

subs (unused): Martin, Ray, Mellor, Colclough, Ellington

Goals: Murphy (pen 25), Pogba (72)

Ref: Hill

Att: 3,085

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