Crewe Alexandra's unbeaten run came to an end with a 2-0 defeat at Exeter City on Saturday. Anthony Scully and Reece Cole scored for the Grecians in what manager Lee Bell's side described as a frustrating night in Devon.
Scully opened the scoring from a controversial penalty on 21 minutes. The referee's decision to award the spot kick proved contentious, but Scully converted confidently from the spot. Cole added a second goal in the dying seconds of the match.
Crewe had chances to get back into the game. Jordan Gibson and Adrien Thibaut went closest for the Railwaymen, while keeper Tom Booth made a save from Charlie Cummins early on. The visitors also had loud appeals for a penalty when Charlie McNeill appeared to be tripped in the box, but the referee waved away the claim. Manager Bell was booked in the aftermath of that decision.
Bell made two changes at half-time, bringing on McNeill and Reece Hutchinson to replace Kyle Ure and Joe White. Crewe enjoyed long spells of possession in the second half but struggled to create clear openings against Exeter's resolute defence. Exeter keeper Jack Bycroft made several important saves, including denials from Gibson and Matus Holicek on 77 minutes after good work down the right from Josh Stephenson and Lewis Billington.
In injury time, Hutchinson reached the byline and pulled back for a diving Thibaut, but Bycroft parried the header to safety. Seconds later, Cole advanced following what appeared to be a push on Luke Offord and finished past Booth to seal the win.
The defeat leaves Crewe Alexandra third in League Two. The attendance at St James Park was 5,671.