A second-half strike from Calum Agius was enough for Crewe to beat Colchester in a tight contest at the Mornflake Stadium.
There was plenty of endeavour from both sides in the first half, although little in the way of goalmouth action.
On-loan debutant Fin Back's close-range header failed to trouble Crewe goalkeeper Ian Lawlor as it rebounded off the back of Kyreece Lisbie.
Will Goodwin did get a clear sight of goal, but skied a loose ball from a corner over the bar.
The visitors looked more threatening on the break, particularly when Owura Edwards was bursting forward down the left.
Crewe had failed to conjure up a single effort on goal until boss Lee Bell's second-half changes produced a dividend in the 68th-minute.
Substitute Adrien Thibaut cantered clear down the right and pulled the ball back for Agius who opened up his body and drilled a low finish into the bottom corner.
Thibaut followed up his good work with a fierce strike that Colchester keeper Matt Macey did well to repel.
Colchester had late penalty appeals turned away when Jack Payne toppled in the box.
Edwards lashed a shot over and Lawlor did well to fend away a low drive from Jack Tucker which was heading for the bottom corner, but Crewe held on for a third win in their past six games.
Report supplied by PA Media.
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