The win took Reading's unbeaten run to nine games but for a long while it looked as though master tactician Dario Gradi had used all of his 22 years as Crewe boss to earn his side's sixth draw in their last eight games.
he goal came from Icelandic international Ivar Ingimarsson with a powerful header from John Oster's cross. At first it seemed as if Crewe defender Kenny Lunt had stopped the ball crossing the line but with the help of his assistant, referee Andy Woolmer signalled a goal.
After surviving two gilt-edged Reading chances early on Crewe tightened up their marking and buckled down to frustrate Reading's lively strikers Leroy Lita and Kevin Doyle.
Both should have scored in the opening moments. With the goal at his mercy Doyle completely mis-kicked from six yards out.
Amazingly Lita did exactly the same in the 15th minute. Bobby Convey broke clear down the left, crossed into his path, but when Lita swung his boot he only connected with fresh air.
Reading might have paid the penalty for their own misses when Michael Higdon lined up a shot for Crewe, but Marcus Hahnemann just managed to turn it wide.
There was another fright for Reading shortly before the interval when the lively Steve Jones ended a run by putting the ball into the net, only to be given offside. Hahnemann injured himself in trying to stop the ball but was able to continue after treatment.
Crewe came close again when Higdon hit the bar and then Murty headed back towards his own goal, but was saved by a James Harper clearance.
Ten minutes from time Reading finally broke through. Substitute Oster crossed from the left and Ingimarsson's first goal of the season brought three points to the home side.