Billy Jones's first-half strike earned Crewe their first home win of the season as they beat Hereford 1-0.
Alex up to third after first home win
Billy Jones's first-half strike after his penalty was saved earned Crewe their first home win of the season as they beat Hereford 1-0.
Bulls keeper Adam Bartlett and Darren Jones had an heated exchange after a mix-up between the pair almost let in Calvin Zola to score with just three minutes gone.
But the visitors recovered and were denied by a superb reaction save from Adam Legzdins which kept out Leon Constantine's close-range header.
Jones then brought out the best in Bartlett with a free-kick which was heading for the top corner before Constatine was denied by more good keeping by Legzdins at the other end.
But Jones put Crewe ahead after Darren Dennehy tugged Zola back in the box. Bartlett saved Jones's initial 36th-minute spot-kick superbly but the Alex captain reacted quickly to nod home the rebound.
Zola almost doubled the lead after the break after bamboozling Darren Jones but Bartlett kept his near-post shot out and then recovered well to deny Joel Grant on the rebound.
