AMADOU Bakayoko's last-minute winner was another gut-wrenching blow for Crewe as their dismal form registered a new low.

The defeat was a record seventh defeat on the bounce at home.

It was also a mind-boggling 12th defeat in 13, a wretched run which would have probably spelled relegation in the next few weeks had the recent form of their basement rivals not been woeful too.

The gap to safety has widened to nine points and would vanish with three wins. But from where you have to ask will they come from?

At least today the hint of a home point hung tantalisingly in the air until Regan Griffiths' unwise challenge on Elias Kachunga offered Bolton a shy from inside the D at Dave Richards' goal.

The Alex stopper had been in great form keeping his side level after the break with excellent saves from Oladapo Afolayan's far-post header and a blockbuster from Ricardo Santos.

But such has been Crewe's misfortune you expected the worst – and when Bakayoko applied the finish to the follow-up after Kieran Sadler's free kick struck the base of the post, Richards was beaten to heap more anguish on this dreadful campaign.

Arguably a point would have been deserved for the endeavour shown again by a patched-up side in a game, which was held up for eight minutes in the first half as medical assistance was sought for a stricken supporter among the large away following in the Ice Cream Van Stand.

Had Bassala Sambou not dollied a volley into the arms of James Trafford after a mistake by Santos it might have been more, but that would truly have been a travesty for Bolton.

Former Fortuna Sittard man Sambou has been lively enough at times since arriving in January, but you wouldn't put any hard cash on him breaking his Alex goal duck this season.

Chris Long has been the best threat in recent months, but he marred a bold solo run in the second-half effort by hitting the advertising hoardings.

There is too little quality across the top after the promising glimpses shown by Dan Agyei, who like several others of this squad are lost in the treatment room.

As well as those injuries Crewe are paying the price for inexperience.

Their last home point came against Shrewsbury on January 15. Like today's defeat, that goalless draw was arguably a missed opportunity and provides an interesting parallel to their failings.

Had they taken advantage of games against Salop, Doncaster and Gillingham in recent months then relegation wouldn't be as inevitable as it seems.

On paper Shrewsbury don't appear to have a better squad, although they do boast more experience at the back. Today the Shrews won 3-0 at leaders Rotherham and have shown a forte for grinding out draws, as have basement rivals AFC Wimbledon.

It is something that is beyond Crewe and has left many fans questioning whether this season is just being played out now to what looks like its obvious conclusion.

Dave Artell insists the towel will not be thrown in, yet to win at least four or even five from the remaining seven is not just a tall order it would defy the laws of probability.

Artell admitted: "We shot ourselves in the foot and it was hard to take as we'd had a one-v-one at the other end.

"That was a massive missed opportunity in what was a low-quality game. It's a poor pitch but it's the same for both teams. However, we're asking our players to play in a way which doesn't help them.

"There wasn't enough quality in the final third. But I didn't feel Bolton were going to score. In fact, their lad was offside from the freekick.

"We'll keep plugging away with them. The young players are learning their trade and we have to make sure we keep developing them. It's a real steep learning curve at the moment."

Bolton boss Evatt said: "I felt the goal was going to come as we had shot after shot and their keeper made some good saves. We dug in and got the result we needed."

Crewe: Richards 8; Johnson 6, Offord 6, Williams 7; Lundstram 5, Lowery 7, Ainley 6 (Griffiths), Finney 5 (Murphy), Harper 5 (Porter); Sambou 5, Long 6. Subs: Jaaskelainen, Lawton, O'Riordan Salisbury.

Bolton: Trafford; Aimson, Santos, Johnston; Sadlier, MJ Williams (Dempsey), Morley, John; Afolayan (Kachunga), Charles, Bodvarrson (Bakayoko) Subs: Amaechi, Thomason, Baptiste, Gordon.

Attendance: 5,895