Match report: Swindon Town 0-1 Crewe Alexandra

A match report from Swindon Link STFC correspondent Alfie Howlett.

A grimy Crewe performance frustrated Town as The Railwaymen departed Swindon with their first away win since July.

In a contest littered with appalling officiating, Daniel Agyei's first half penalty was enough to split the two sides. Despite being managerless, Crewe were well drilled in employing the dark arts of the game which left a dismal Swindon incapable of salvaging a result.

After a score draw against Tranmere last time out, Swindon arrived for their second home game in a week sitting sixth in the rankings. Manager Scott Lindsey fielded the same 11 as previously, with Louis Reed remaining on the bench. 

The visitors Crewe Alexandra, led by interim manager Lee Bell, were winless in their last nine attempts on the road. However, after winning their last two fixtures The Alex were looking for a hat-trick of wins under Bell.

Swindon made a confident start to proceedings as a Jacob Wakeling header forced Arthur Okonkwo into an early save. On eight minutes, after some neat build-up play, Ellis Iandolo had an opportunity to pick a pass however his cross evaded the head of Luke Jephcott. 

Nonetheless Swindon were certainly enjoying the lion's share of possession. With 16 on the clock a crisp Remeao Hutton cross was poked behind for a corner before Jacob Wakeling could convert.

Half way through the first half the destiny of the game would change. Having failed to clear his lines, Ronan Darcy lost possession and took a swipe at Kelvin Mellor bringing him down in the box. Without hesitation Andrew Kitchen pointed to the spot handing Daniel Agyei the opportunity open the scoring. After a stuttering run-up the Crewe marksman made no mistake firing past Brynn into the roof of the net.

In a bid to draw level, Saidou Khan had a pop from range with his low left footed effort drifting just wide of the target. However, Crewe remained a potent threat at the other end of the pitch and could've extended their advantage on numerous occasions had it not been for a succession of Swindon blocks. 

With the game heading towards half time Swindon enjoyed a flurry of attacks as the match became increasingly open. First Luke Jephcott had a first time volley denied. Then the on loan Plymouth forward had a glancing header tipped over the bar by on loan Arsenal keeper Arthur Okonkwo. It would mean that his side went in one goal to the good at the half time interval.

Five minutes into the second half, Ellis Iandolo skewed two excellent opportunities to level the match. Another brilliant Hutton cross found Iandolo, who saw his first effort saved by the acrobatic Okonkwo, then with the goal gapping he skied his rebound. Crewe then issued Town a warning on the counter after Lachlan Brook shifted on to his left side and fired an effort towards Brynn at his near post.

Past the hour mark Daniel Agyei had an opportunity to net both he and Crewe's second of the afternoon, but fortunately for Town the number 11 couldn't convert his free header. Six minutes later Swindon came the closest they would to finding an equaliser. After an exquisite Ben Gladwin cross Luke Jephcott could only find the cross bar with his near post header. Combined with time wasting out of the Diego Simeone play book it clearly wasn't going to be Town's day.

Despite Louis Reed threatening with a late free kick, Crewe ended the game relatively untroubled as they walked away with all three points, ending Swindon's five-match unbeaten run. 

Having crashed out of the FA Cup, Scott Lindsey and his team now have some time to put this result right, with Town not in action again until December.