Match ends, Colchester United 1, Crewe Alexandra 1.
Crewe clinched a play-off spot following a 1-1 draw at Colchester, who confirmed their League Two status.
Arthur Read's shot flew straight at Crewe goalkeeper Max Stryjek early on before Colchester took a 35th-minute lead.
Noah Chilvers collected Ellis Iandolo's pass and brilliantly turned past Ryan Cooney just inside the Crewe half before advancing toward goal and unleashing a fine low shot past Stryjek at his near post.
Crewe looked for an immediate response and almost got one when Matus Holicek planted a weak shot straight at keeper Sam Hornby from a good position in the area.
Rio Adebisi blasted over at the near post early in the second half for Alex, who had a penalty appeal rejected when Mickey Demetriou appeared to be pulled back by Fiacre Kelleher in the area.
Elliott Nevitt's 25-yard strike flew just wide of the target for Alex before the striker converted substitute Charlie Kirk's cross in the first minute of stoppage time as the visitors sealed a play-off place.
Crewe boss Lee Bell said he had been through "all of the emotions" during the game.
"Two or three weeks ago, we had 14 players out injured and they just find a way the players, they stick together and I've said in the past, that's their biggest strength. I'm delighted for the players," he added.
"It's not luck that we score goals after 90 minutes - this group are amazing."
Colchester head coach Danny Cowley said the week leading up to the game had been "like torture".
He continued: "We actually played really well for large parts and I still don't know how we don't win that game, we were in such a good place in the game. I suppose it was typical us really, that we give such a soft goal away.
"I've inherited two relegation battles, one at Huddersfield Town and one here, and I've been fortunate enough to be successful in both."
Match report supplied by PA Media.
Line-ups
Colchester
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 29Hornby
- 20Mingi
- 4KelleherBooked at 62mins
- 5Hall
- 3Iandolo
- 13McGeehan
- 16Read
- 42Fevrier
- 14Hopper
- 10Chilvers
- 24AkindeSubstituted forHarbottleat 68'minutes
Substitutes
- 1Goodman
- 7Jay
- 8Wilkinson
- 22Harbottle
- 26Richardson
- 37Cooper
- 48Ihionvien
Crewe
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 42Stryjek
- 2CooneySubstituted forKirkat 81'minutes
- 4Williams
- 5Demetriou
- 3Adebisi
- 11Tabiner
- 28Billington
- 10TraceySubstituted forBaker-Richardsonat 71'minutes
- 17HolícekSubstituted forAusterfieldat 45'minutes
- 7LongSubstituted forRoweat 45'minutesBooked at 49mins
- 20Nevitt
Substitutes
- 9Baker-Richardson
- 21Rowe
- 24Finney
- 25Austerfield
- 30Kirk
- 33Agius
- 40Lenarcik
- Referee:
- Lewis Smith
- Attendance:
- 6,491
Match Stats
- Possession
- Home42%
- Away58%
- Shots
- Home15
- Away9
- Shots on Target
- Home5
- Away5
- Corners
- Home2
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home7
- Away12
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Colchester United 1, Crewe Alexandra 1.
Goal!
Goal! Colchester United 1, Crewe Alexandra 1. Elliott Nevitt (Crewe Alexandra) right footed shot from very close range to the bottom left corner.
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Attempt saved. Elliott Nevitt (Crewe Alexandra) right footed shot from very close range is saved in the bottom left corner. Assisted by Charlie Kirk with a cross.
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Offside, Colchester United. Jayden Fevrier is caught offside.
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Foul by Aaron Rowe (Crewe Alexandra).
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Tom Hopper (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Charlie Kirk (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Foul by Jade Jay Mingi (Colchester United).
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Attempt saved. Mickey Demetriou (Crewe Alexandra) header from the centre of the box is saved in the top centre of the goal. Assisted by Charlie Kirk with a cross.
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Corner, Crewe Alexandra. Conceded by Connor Hall.
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Attempt missed. Jayden Fevrier (Colchester United) left footed shot from the centre of the box is close, but misses to the left. Assisted by Noah Chilvers following a set piece situation.
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Attempt blocked. Arthur Read (Colchester United) left footed shot from outside the box is blocked.
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Foul by Elliott Nevitt (Crewe Alexandra).
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Arthur Read (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Substitution
Substitution, Crewe Alexandra. Charlie Kirk replaces Ryan Cooney.
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Foul by Elliott Nevitt (Crewe Alexandra).
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Cameron McGeehan (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
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Attempt missed. Jade Jay Mingi (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the left. Assisted by Jayden Fevrier.
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Attempt missed. Elliott Nevitt (Crewe Alexandra) right footed shot from outside the box is close, but misses to the right.
Comments
Join the conversation
Well done Alex, good luck v Donny. You'll need it I think.
Good luck gentlemen. It’s tough following the Us but you’re making me keep the emotional investment.
Well done Crewe! Good luck! Ksnf this why we love football? 😵💫😵💫
Good luck all.
Count Alucard will be relieved ... again.
Haven’t heard from him for a while on HYS.
Hope you are well mate.
PS look forward to next season under the Cowleys and new drainage for the pitch.