Courtney Baker-Richardson's prolific form at the Mornflake Stadium secured Crewe their first success in five games.

Boss Alex Morris was quick to sing the praises of the frontman who was registering his fifth goal of the campaign with a clinical 73rd-minute finish after some determined work by Eli King.

All five of Baker-Richardson's goals have come in front of the home faithful, although he was on the mark too at Bolton in the recent Papa John's Trophy game.

Without the frontman's tally Crewe would be struggling for goals. In the continued absence of the injured Chris Long, the former Newport County is the most obvious finisher in a side that at times toils to get into the final third.

Morris says his summer revamp is still a work in progress and fans should not expect a repeat of the 2019/20 promotion campaign.

But they will expect better than the dismal midweek draw (1-1) at Hartlepool where a late Dan Agyei finish salvaged a point - as does the manager.

"It was slightly better than Hartlepool which wasn't difficult," admitted Morris. "Standing in the technical area on Tuesday at 9.30pm thinking this is grim and four days on we're four points better off and that is good. To pick up points while not playing well, although we did okay in areas of the game, is pleasing.

"I know there are people who want us to be further along the line to producing silky attacking football. But we're not at that stage. We are not going to be able play the type of football our promotion-winning team did a couple of weeks ago. Those players had three or four years playing first team level and finishing low down in this league.

"We're trying to develop more cohesion and it's a new group, but while that is a work in progress we have a really sound structure on the defensive side."

Baker-Ricahrdson celebrates (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton).

And Crewe did keep the visitors at bay by and large, although they survived when Tom Fellows, put clear on goal, attempted to lob Arthur Okonkwo only to dolly the ball into the keeper's hands.

Crawley's Harry Ransom wasted another good chance soon after the interval when the defender miscued his far-post volley with the net gaping.

But had fortune smiled on Kelvin Mellor then the Alex would have been ahead in the first-half. The defender's diving header from a Callum Ainley delivery came back off the near post.

Baker-Richardson also forced Corey Addai to block a powerful shot at his near post and the Crawley keeper also held onto a header from Bassala Sambou before the first half closed.

Crawley had more possession in the second half, but Baker-Richardson's fine finish was decisive as he made the most of the space offered in behind after King showed persistence to force his way past a couple of challenge and poke the ball on.

The win wasn't without worry though as Jake Hessenthaler rounded Okonkwo in stoppage time, but chose a misplaced pass instead of shooting at goal.

"It was a terrific finish by Courtney for the winner and we did really well to win the ball back in a high area of the pitch. He's been clinical in the final third for us, particularly at home," added Morris, who stresses that despite concerns over recent performances, including defeat at the hands of Stevenage on the last time out at home and the woeful showing at 'Pools, Crewe have maintained their place in the top half of the table.

"When the club were relegated to League Two last time we finished 17th and 15th for the next two years and there were people worrying that was going to be the same this season," noted the boss.

"But that hasn't happened and we have been in the top 10 and that is where we want to remain.

"It is being realistic about the players' capabilities and they are doing all right. We've not put together a 90-minute performance yet, but we are still collecting points and it has been an all right start."

Kelvin Mellor gets on the ball for Crewe (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton).

Meanwhile, Crawley boss Kevin Betsy was convinced Baker-Richardson should not have been on the pitch by the time he struck the winner.

The frontman was booked in the first half for a late challenge and Betsy felt referee Rebecca Welch should have been reaching for the yellow card again in the second half, although he was not specific about the incident.

"The referee was excellent but I think she made a big mistake as he (Baker-Richardson) should have got sent off for a second booking," said the visiting manager.

"I was very disappointed with the result as we were excellent over the pitch and we created two or three good chances – the game was there to be won."