Coventry City

Wilson hit sixth and seventh goals in as man games and took his tally to 22 for the season in all competitions with goals in each half to twice give the Sky Blues the lead after Mark Ellis equalised for the hosts. 

Wilson gave City the advantage five minutes before the half hour with one of his simpler finishes after pouncing on a rebound from Franck Moussa's initial effort.

Boss Steven Pressley rang two changes to his side following the midweek win over Stevenage at Sixfields, handing newly arrived loan midfielder David Prutton his full debut at the expense of Nathan Delfouneso with Conor Thomas coming back in for the suspended John Fleck.

The Sky Blues wasted no time in trying to carve out their first opportunity of the afternoon when Moussa played a through ball to Wilson who pulled the trigger early from 20 yards and saw his shot rise just over the bar.

The early signs were infact extremely encouraging for City as they went on to win a corner after four minutes and were only denied an opener by a series of last ditch stops by the Crewe back four as they hacked the ball away from danger.

The frantic opening few moments did not pave the way for a similar pace for the next quarter of an hour though as both sides played out a physical battle in midfield although neither side created any clear cut efforts on goal.

That changed on 25 minutes though when Wilson made the most of a fortunate rebound to put the Sky Blues ahead. Moussa's shot from the edge of the area beat Crewe 'keeper Ben Garratt but hit the foot of his post although Wilson was primely placed to place the rebound into the center of the net for his 21st goal of the season.

Crewe came out recharged for the second half though and started it positively, first when Chuks Aneke drew himself across the box and had a shot deflected for a corner on 47 minutes and then four minutes later when Uche Ikpeazu charged forward but fired a weak, low shot which caused Joe Murphy no trouble.

The home side were level on the hour though through a set piece that saw Ellis apply a finish to what was an untidy goal to concede. Ellis' header was goalbound at the back post although announcers declared an own goal by Jordan Clarke.

The goal certainly gave Alex a boost which showed when Matt Tootle produced a half volley from 20 yards which forced an equally good stop from Murphy after 67 minutes.

Alex went even close with 20 minutes to go when another corner delivery into the heart of the area caused City problems and sparked a scramble in the six-yard box which the Sky Blues cleared only as far as Anthony Grant who then skied a half-volley way over the bar.

Murphy was required to make a stop for the Sky Blues after 77 minutes though when Bradden Inman exchanged a one-two with Ikpeazu before cutting inside and firing low, Murphy parrying the effort and then making a save at Aneke's feet on the follow up.

The Sky Blues got themselves back infront in clinical fashion though with ten minutes to go.

Substitute Mark Marshall flicked a header into the path of fellow sub Carl Baker who played a through ball to Wilson who peeled off his marker and raced at goal before firing his seventh goal in seven games past Garratt.

City had to stay on their toes though as they fought to protect their lead and they got a stark reminder with four minutes to go when Joe Murphy had to tip George Evans' free kick out of the top corner and over the bar.

The home crowd were further charged on by the announcement of six minutes of added time and it passed down to the pitch as the Sky Blues were forced to defend a series of attacks to protect their lead.

But they did just that as they held on to move themselves eight points clear of the drop zone and end a run of six consecutive away league defeats.

Attendance: 5,042 (1,142 Sky Blue Army)