DAVE Artell saluted his players' battling spirit and the travelling Crewe faithful as a seven-game losing sequence came to an end.

Goals from Chris Long and Chris Porter in either half secured the Alex their first points in eight games with a 2-1 win at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium on Saturday.

Veteran Porter, returning after a bout of illness, led from the front wearing the captain's armband by heading in Dan Agyei's corner for the 83rd-minute winner, the striker's first goal of 2022.

The Alex's defensive improvement that was visible in last week's plucky home defeat at the hands of in-form Oxford was in evidence again as they stood firm at set pieces against the physical hosts.

Chris Long produced a fine finish for the 19th-minute opener after Porter headed into his striker partner's path.

On-loan Tottenham youngster Kion Eteke levelled soon after the break (48) for Cheltenham, firing a low shot under Dave Richards.

But Crewe deserved their reward and a rare win which cuts the gap to safety to eight points.

"We've had decent performances recently and not got the results. The lads are running around and committed and we don't mean to lose games. We've not been trying to lose, so I'm glad our fans are able to go home happy," said the manager.

"We know where we are and so I'm delighted for the fans as it would've been quite easy to stay at home.

"They can see the effort, endeavour and how hard the lads are working. They are giving it everything for the cause and they are trying. They don't mean to lose and you could see the appreciation at the end.

"This is about the players. They don't need to win for me, they need to win for themselves. If they do the right things more often than not, they'll win games."

It was Cheltenham's first loss in seven and boss Michael Duff said: "It was flat. We never got a foothold in the game. But ultimately Crewe have had two shots on goal from two set plays, so as poor as we were with the ball, we can't give up goals like that."

The Alex start a daunting March fixture list with a visit from Wycombe Wanderers next Saturday (March 5).

Yet Gareth Ainsworth's side are on a poor run having dropped from top of League One in mid January to eighth spot after failing to win any of their last seven games.