THE Railwaymen’s survival bid got back on track as they climbed out of the drop zone with a win at Port Vale on Saturday.

Crewe built a three-goal lead through Mathias Pogba, Chuks Aneke and Brad Inman before Tom Pope pulled one back with 15 minutes to go.

In-form Aneke fired wide early on for the visitors after a Joe Davis mistake, but little more than 10 minutes later the Alex were in front when Mathias Pogba smuggled over from Byron Moore’s cross.

Harry Davis – son of boss Steve, whose other son Joe was playing for the hosts – cleared off the line from Vale forward Pope after he had earlier rattled the crossbar with a header, but Crewe took a one-goal lead into the break.

Arsenal-loanee Aneke slotted home from the spot early in the second half after Matt Tootle was felled in the box.

On 73 minutes the visitors wrapped up the points, Pogba finding Inman inside the area and the winger firing past Vale stopper Chris Neal.

Pope did manage a consolation for the promotion hopefuls three minutes later when he headed in at the back post, but Crewe returned to Cheshire with a valuable three points.