Shaun Miller came off the bench to grab the only goal of the game for Crewe and leave struggling Morecambe looking over their shoulders.
In a poor-quality game, chances were at a premium, with the Shrimpers' Callum Lang missing the visitors' best opening when he failed to convert from close range in the second half.
But Miller made no mistake as he fired a volley into the top corner in the 89th minute to take Crewe to the 50-point mark for the season.
Early on, Jordan Bowery was thwarted by veteran goalkeeper Barry Roche, who saved with his legs after the in-form striker raced clear on the left of the box.
Morecambe suffered a blow when the lively Garry Thompson crumpled on the turf with a serious-looking leg injury and departed on a stretcher. But they went close when skipper Michael Rose's low free-kick forced a fingertip save from Ben Garratt.
Crewe finished the half the stronger and Luke Conlan was well-placed to block a Bowery effort and Roche was out bravely to save at the feet of Paul Green.
But Lang should have put the visitors ahead after the break when he arrived onto substitute Gregg Wylde's cross, only to prod wide.
It was a costly miss as Miller pounced after Eddie Nolan headed on from a corner.
English League Two Standings
POS | Team | GP | GD | PTS |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Leyton Orient | 37 | +24 | 74 |
2 | Northampton Town | 38 | +19 | 69 |
3 | Stevenage | 37 | +17 | 67 |
4 | Carlisle United | 38 | +22 | 66 |
5 | Stockport County | 38 | +19 | 63 |
6 | Salford City | 38 | +17 | 62 |
7 | Bradford City | 37 | +13 | 61 |
8 | Mansfield Town | 37 | +10 | 58 |
9 | Sutton United | 38 | 0 | 56 |
10 | Barrow | 38 | -3 | 55 |
11 | Swindon Town | 37 | +6 | 51 |
12 | Doncaster Rovers | 38 | -12 | 51 |
13 | Walsall | 37 | +6 | 49 |
14 | Tranmere Rovers | 38 | -2 | 49 |
15 | Grimsby Town | 36 | -4 | 47 |
16 | Gillingham | 38 | -14 | 44 |
17 | Newport County | 37 | -5 | 43 |
18 | AFC Wimbledon | 38 | -6 | 43 |
19 | Crewe Alexandra | 37 | -13 | 42 |
20 | Harrogate Town | 37 | -12 | 38 |
21 | Colchester United | 38 | -12 | 37 |
22 | Crawley Town | 37 | -18 | 36 |
23 | Hartlepool United | 38 | -26 | 32 |
24 | Rochdale | 38 | -26 | 26 |
League Two News
UK government confirms plan for independent football regulator
A new independent regulator for English football would have the power to prevent Premier League clubs from joining a European Super League.
Xbox agony: English League Two striker ruled out following bizarre injury
Crewe Alexandra head into Saturday's game against Carlisle on the back foot after their top scorer injured himself while playing Xbox.
Premier League clubs announce automatic bans for pitch invaders, smoke bombs
England's Premier League and Football League have announced tough new sanctions for pitch invasions and the use of smoke bombs and pyrotechnics.
LGBTQ+ group launched for players, professionals in football
An organisation for LGBTQ+ professionals in football has been launched to provide further support for players, coaches and referees in the game.
Derby County sale: U.S. tycoon Chris Kirchner set to own club managed by Wayne Rooney
American businessman Chris Kirchner is set to be the new Derby County owner after club administrators said they had exchanged contracts.
Crawley Town sacks coach John Yems amid racism, segregation claims
Crawley Town sacked manager John Yems on Friday following allegations he used discriminatory language and conduct toward his squad.