CREWE Alexandra head into a proverbial six-pointer with Colchester United today knowing a win would prove a huge boost to their League One survival bid.

The Alex leaped from the drop zone with a 3-1 win at Shrewsbury Town on Good Friday thanks to foals from Mathias Pogba, Uche Ikpeazu and Anthony Grant.

Defeat for Shrewsbury left them five points adrift of safety, but the a vital three points for Steve Davis’ men sees them sitting two points ahead of fourth from bottom Carlisle, who have a game in hand.

But the Railwaymen are now level on points on the two sides above them, with today’s visitors Colchester one of those, making Friday’s win all the more important.

Pogba broke the deadlock seven minutes before the break with a powerful header from a Jon Guthrie corner.

Ikpeazu doubled the Alex’s advantage shortly after the interval with a fierce effort and former Chelsea midfielder Grant sprinted clear to make it three on 89 minutes. Tom Bradshaw added a consolation for the hosts in added time.