Crewe Alexandra vs Stevenage. Sky Bet League Two.
Alexandra StadiumAttendance3,625.
Saturday 29 December 2018 20:37, UK
Crewe completed back-to-back wins as Chris Porter scored the only goal in a 1-0 win over 10-man Stevenage in Sky Bet League Two.
Porter needed lengthy treatment after being floored in an aerial challenge, but the striker picked himself up soon after to convert from the penalty spot in the 21st minute for his second goal in consecutive games.
Improving Crewe could have added to their tally as they dominated the first half and Stevenage faced an uphill battle after substitute Alex Reid received a straight red when he caught Perry Ng with a high challenge in the closing stages.
Crewe started on the front foot and Stevenage goalkeeper Paul Farman needed to be off his line smartly to foil Jordan Bowery. But Farman was sent the wrong way by Porter from 12 yards after Ng was floored by Cuthbert as he dashed into the box.
Ben Nugent went close to grabbing a swift equaliser against his former club, but the centre-back's thumping header came down off the underside of the crossbar.
Porter's presence in the box counted when he headed James Jones' free-kick across the face of goal with Eddie Nolan and Bowery both inches away from turning the ball home.
After the restart Charlie Kirk drew a save from Farman with an angled drive and Jones fired a yard wide from outside the area.
Crewe keeper Ben Garratt was finally called into action to push around a low drive from Daniel Newton. But Crewe closed out their victory after Reid's 79th-minute red card.
