Crewe move further clear of relegation zone with win at Newport

Crewe moved 12 points clear of the League Two relegation zone after battling to a 2-1 win at Newport.A solo strike from Harry McKirdy and Jordan Bowery's goal with half an hour remaining ensured three vital points for the Railwaymen.Mickey Demetriou made the visitors sweat with a late header, but it was not enough to keep Newport's fading play-off dreams alive.McKirdy ruined Newport's positive start after 26 minutes as the on-loan Aston Villa striker lifted the ball over County defender Demetriou before he calmly placed the ball into the bottom corner.Newport were denied a penalty eight minutes after the restart after Harry Pickering took down Robbie Willmott, and they were made to pay.Charlie Kirk went clear through on goal and struck the post, but Bowery followed up to score his ninth goal of the season on the hour mark.Demetriou sparked a late fightback when he headed in Willmott's corner after 80 minutes, but it was not enough to stop Crewe from making it back-to-back league victories.