CREWE FC bounced back to winning ways on Saturday with a win at Pilkington that sent them seven points clear at the Cheshire League Division One summit.

The visitors opened up a two-goal lead at Ruskin Drive through Chris Jackson and Steve McNicholl strikes, before a Pilks reply late on.

Crewe had put 11 past their hosts earlier in the season and enjoyed several half chances early on.

The league leaders opened the scoring half way through the first period when Jackson latched on to Josh Rowley’s pass before firing past the Pilks stopper.

Pilkington returned after the interval looking more organised and difficult to break down, but it was Crewe who continued to enjoy the share of possession.

The visitors doubled their lead on the hour mark after a cross was headed away by a Pilkington defender, falling to McNicholl on the edge of the box for the skipper to fire into the top corner.

Crewe then enjoyed a series of chances but were unable to extend their lead, Rowley, Nath Tickle, Steve Parker and Nathan Southern all missing opportunities.

Having failed to kill off the fixture, Crewe then suffered a sloppy last 20 minutes and the possession swung in Pilks’ favour as they pushed for a comeback.

The hosts did manage a reply moments later when a free kick into the box was not gathered by Crewe stopper Wes Newton and found its way into the net via a combination of man-of-the-match Andy Parkinson and a Pilkington forward.

The Crewe defence remained solid for the final few minutes and Newton was relatively untroubled as the table-toppers held out for the points.