OWEN Dale struck late as Crewe saw off relegation-threatened Northampton to keep their play-off hopes alive.

At the back end of a game lacking in quality the attacker polished off a pass from Luke Murphy in the 74th-minute for his first goal since February 2.

The Alex made five changes from the one capitulating at home to Burton a week ago as Dave Artell adopted a more direct route to goal on a poor playing surface.

But his side struggled to make much impact before the break, although Charlie Kirk was denied early on by keeper Jonathan Mitchell.

The key moment came after Ryan Edmondson let Crewe off the hook at one end of the pitch and the visitors went up the other end to make it count.

Artell replaced Dave Richards with Will Jaaskelainen in goal and also drafted fit-again Donervon Daniels and Olly Lancashire into his back four, Callum Ainley into the midfield in place of Ryan Wintle and Chris Porter up top.

A route one approach by both sides didn't make for pretty viewing, but Artell said: "We knew the pitch would not be in a fit state and the game would all be about second balls. We didn't do that very well against Burton last week, but I know when the boys put their minds to it they can do it.

"It [the pitch] was very tricky, but we knew and planned for that. We had to change our style because if you don't you can look foolish.

"It's not about throwing a philosophy out of the window. I get judged on winning football matches. They got in behind us once, but we got in behind them twice and scored - I think we were the better team."

The defeat was the Cobblers' first in four home games and boss Jon Brady was in apologetic mood.

"It was hugely frustrating, it was a real dogfight out there and I was disappointed by our decision making," said Brady.

"There were only brief glimpses when we got the ball down and played. I don't want us to just kick balls aimlessly up the pitch and I apologise for that."