Salford battle back to see off Crewe

Salford came from behind to beat Crewe 4-2 and record a third straight win.

Two goals from Matt Smith and one each from substitutes Ryan Watson and Kevin Berkoe turned the game around after Courtney Baker-Richardson had put Crewe ahead.

The visitors started full of confidence having come into the game unbeaten in six, and were rewarded for their good start after 26 minutes when Baker-Richardson glanced in Rio Adebisi’s cross.

A header at the other end made it all square with virtually the last kick of the first half as Smith powered home Elliot Watt’s floating ball over the top.

Baker-Richardson thought he had put Crewe back in front only for the offside flag to deny him, before Salford had the ball in the net 28 seconds later thanks to Smith.

Crewe assistant manager Ryan Dicker was sent off for protesting the decision.

To make matters worse for Crewe, Watson steered in Salford’s third in the 71st minute before Berkoe was on hand to nod in the fourth in stoppage time after Tilt had headed onto the crossbar.

There was still time for Baker-Richardson to grab his and Crewe’s second goal but it was only a consolation.