Ainley on song as Crewe see off Tranmere

Posted Sunday, November 18, 2018 by PA

Callum Ainley’s double helped secure Crewe a 3-2 win over Tranmere in League Two.

Rovers’ James Norwood scored his 13th of the campaign before the break to cancel out Ainley’s opener.

But Dave Artell’s side produced some classy finishing in the second half when Ainley restored the lead and Charlie Kirk fired in a third before Tranmere substitute Paul Mullin reduced the arrears late on.

Rovers started well, but Ryan Wintle scooped Ollie Banks’ shot-cum-cross off the home line and it was Crewe who took a 20th-minute lead when Rovers keeper Scott Davies was rooted to his line and Ainley picked out the corner with a low drive from the edge of the ‘D’.

Davies again looked in trouble as he scrambled a long-range shot from Perry Ng past his post but Tranmere were back on terms when Connor Jennings picked out Norwood’s run. The in-form striker showed a clinical edge, turning his marker before slipping the ball past Ben Garratt.

After the restart Ainley conjured a belting finish from the right side of the box after some fine work from Jordan Bowery, then Kirk added a third with a classy half-volley after Ainley ferried the ball across the box.

Rovers made Crewe sweat late on after Mullin headed Banks’ cross in from close range.