CREWE Alexandra could do nothing to stop Wolverhampton Wanderers securing promotion to the Championship in a defeat that proves a blow to their own survival chances.

Kevin McDonald broke the deadlock in a first half that saw the Railwaymen’s top scorer Chuks Aneke sent off and Dave Edwards made it two after the break.

A point would have lifted Steve Davis’ men out of the bottom four, but an inferior goal difference leaves the Alex in the relegation zone with four games remaining.

Ben Garratt kept the hosts in the game with first half saves from a Bakary Sako free kick and Michael Jacobs’ strike, but the Crewe stopper was then beaten by McDonald’s deflected effort.

Arsenal loanee Aneke saw red in first half added time for an elbow on Richard Stearman and Wolves made their numerical advantage pay on 66 minutes when Edwards fired home.