Lee Bell praised his players for bouncing back from their Easter Monday thumping and cementing their impressive home form.

The Alex are unbeaten in five at the Mornflake Stadium, including three consecutive wins over Salford City, Barrow and this afternoon, Walsall, victories which have ensured the 50-point mark has been passed to spare the faithful from end-of-season concerns.

After being on the receiving end (0-4) at Colchester, Bell made six changes with two of the incoming players, Rod McDonald and Chris Long, on the mark in the first-half.

Another, youngster Charlie Finney, was also very impressive on his first league start after being recalled from his loan spell at Chorley. Although, Dave Richards, drafted back between the sticks with teenage keeper James Beadle ruled out through injury, didn't have a real save to make.

The second-half dismissal of Joss Labadie killed off the Saddlers' hopes of mounting a fightback and the Alex had enough chances to double their tally at least.

Lee Bell made six changes to the side starting Easter Monday's defeat at Colchester (Picture credit: Kevin Warburton).

Bell said: "I'm pleased with the players for putting on a professional performance. We were calm in our assessment during the week and I think the players responded well.

"It was a thoroughly professional performance and as poor as we were in certain areas on Monday we were excellent today.

"I was pleased with our set plays. It was a great free kick and a super header from Rod who has been outstanding for us this season. The second came from a throw-in and it is pleasing that we had the confidence to get on the ball there and play some football to create the chance.

"The only negative is that we didn't put our foot down and get more goals."

McDonald outjumped his marker to head Callum Ainley's free kick into the bottom corner for a perfect start in the second minute. Then Long doubled the lead with a shot which deflected off Joe Low and found the far corner (25).

Dan Agyei and Finney went close to putting the game to bed before the break.

It was when Labadie was given his marching orders just over the hour mark (61) after a clumsy challenge on sub Tariq Uwakwe to earn his second booking. Walsall assistant manager Wayne Hatswell also saw a red from referee Carl Boyeson and was banished to the stand for protesting Labadie's sending off.

Joel Tabiner and sub Lachlan Brook were close to adding to the tally, with the latter's fierce low drive turned around by keeper Owen Evans.

The win drew Crewe level on points with the visitors, who have only won two games all year, but have stayed clear of trouble by their propensity to draw games – 18 in all.

It is that which has probably kept boss Mike Flynn in a job, and the former Newport manager said: "We started poorly and I'm glad we stuck together in the second half as at one point I thought it could be four or five.

"I've had both my skippers sent off in the last two games, so everything that could go wrong is going wrong and our discipline needs to improve. I thought Joss's second yellow card was very harsh.

"Our defending killed us for both of the goals and Donervon Daniels is a huge miss for us at the back, although Joe Low shouldn't be getting outjumped like that."