Crewe Alexandra 2 Coventry City 1

Last updated : 08 May 2005 By Footymad Previewer
Crewe escaped relegation in dramatic fashion after staging a second-half fightback at Gresty Road.

Goals from half-time substitute Michael Higdon and Steve Jones ensured Dario Gradi's side will be playing Championship football again next season.

They had to sweat it out after the final whistle before news came through of Gillingham's 2-2 draw at Nottingham Forest, which meant it was Stan Ternent's side that were relegated on goal difference.

That hardly looked likely at half-time as Crewe were dreadful in the opening 45 minutes and were deservedly trailing to a goal from former Alex player Dele Adebola.

The big striker headed in Stephen Hughes' inswinging free-kick from the edge of the six-yard box after Anthony Tonkin had fouled Gary McSheffrey in full flight.

McSheffrey and Adebola could have added to the visitors advantage and Crewe were struggling to piece moves together. Their only real offering of a poor first 45 was when Justin Cochrane blasted a low shot into the side-netting.

Gradi made a tactical change at the start of the second half introducing Higdon up front in place of midfielder Neil Sorvel and Higdon levelled the scores nine minutes later after neatly controlling Luke Varney's left-wing cross and fired the ball home at the near post.

Coventry keeper Luke Steele was lucky to escape with a yellow card in the 63rd minute when he dashed off his line to head clear a throughball aimed for Jones, but clattered into the striker.

Crewe edged in front after 62 minutes when David Vaughan broke from deep and released Varney again on the left and he squared the ball for Jones to apply the finishing touch at the near post.

A worrying finish for the hosts saw keeper Clayton Ince make a great double save to deny McSheffrey and Claus Jorgensen.