Joel Grant's first goal of the season earned Crewe maximum points in a 2-1 win against Macclesfield.

Silkmen put to the sword

Joel Grant's first goal of the season earned Crewe maximum points in a hard-fought 2-1 derby win against Macclesfield. The Alex took the lead in the 12th minute when Billy Jones whipped in a free-kick and Calvin Zola rose unchallenged to head home. But a beautifully-flighted ball from Izak Reid fell to Ricky Sappleton and the on-loan Leicester striker rolled a precise finish under goalkeeper David Button to level with half an hour gone. Ross Draper angled a header towards goal but Button clawed the ball to safety, while Jose Viega produced an impressive stop at the other end to deny Grant's shot which came at the end of a jinking run. Skipper Billy Jones' curling free-kick crashed off the underside of the bar and may have crossed the line but referee Steve Bratt waved play on. But Grant settled it with five minutes to go, racing on to John Brayford's long ball and burying a low drive into the bottom corner.