Nicky Maynard scored both goals as Crewe Alexandra bounced back from last weekend's awful derby defeat to Port Vale to put a huge dent into Oldham's promotion hopes. Maynard scored in each half to take his own personal tally to 19 goals for the season and although midfielder Ritchie Wellens pulled one back for the Latics with six minutes remaining, the Alex deservedly held on for all three points.

Crewe were up for this from the first whistle and stood up to Oldham's physical approach, which at times appeared to be boiling over as they grew increasingly frustrated in their inability to break down a stubborn Crewe defence. The Alex produced one of their finest home performances of the season to go some way into repaying those fans, who had to endure last weekend's disappointing 3-0 loss at the Vale.

As expected Danny Woodards returned to the Crewe Alexandra starting line-up after overcoming his thigh strain but he wouldn't complete the 90 minutes. Darren Moss dropped down to the substitutes bench, with Dario Gradi giving the on-loan defender Daniel O'Donnell another chance in the centre of the defence. The versatile Billy Jones continued at left-back.

The club's other on-line signing Anthony McNammee was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time since the 2-1 at Chesterfield following injuries to Rodney Jack (hamstring) and David Vaughan (hernia).

The Alex were also boosted by the news that Luke Varney was deemed fit enough to take his place on the bench after overcoming his tarsal injury. Varney had not featured since acquiring the injury in the 1-1 draw with Brighton at the beginning of March.

In the early exchanges, Crewe were rather unlucky not to take an early lead when Ryan Lowe had cleverly rounded Oldham's keeper Alan Blayney. Unfortunately, Lowe just couldn't execute the shot with the goal at his mercy. It proved though that Crewe could get in behind the Oldham back line and create some chances, especially when they elected to play such a high offside line.

On ten minutes, Maynard went close to opening his account for the afternoon. He cleverly turned away from Sean Gregan and Miki Roque before seeing his low shot deflected wide for an early corner. Gregan's troubled afternoon got considerably worse when he was booked for a high challenge on Woodards.

Oldham's first real attack of the game almost resulted in the opening goal. Speedy winger Paul Edwards certainly caught the eye for the visitors and he gave Woodards something to think about when he raced past the Alex full-back. His low cross reached Paul Warne, who side-footed his shot against Ben Williams' crossbar.

Gregan was rather unlucky not to concede a penalty when he looked to have felled Maynard inside the box but to be fair to the referee, he had a clear view and waved away any appeals. It didn't take the lively Maynard too long to punish the Oldham defence with his first goal of the game. On 25 minutes, the Alex striker thrived on a bizarre mistake between Gregan and his out rushing goalkeeper to roll his shot into an empty net. The Oldham pair both left it for each other to deal with and Maynard said thank you very much.

The early lead was no more than Crewe deserved and we were most certainly the better side during the first period. Five minutes after Maynard's opener, it looked as though his strike partner Ryan Lowe had doubled our advantage after he had been in the right place at the right time to turn home a rebound after Maynard's shot had hit the foot of the post. Lowe was adjudged offside in the second phase of the play after O'Connor's clever diving header had put him through on goal. Lowe only became active and therefore offside, when the ball fell at his feet.

At the other end, a nervy looking Oldham huffed and puffed around our box a great deal but couldn't really muster that clear-cut chance. Warne headed wide from an Edwards cross before Woodards was booked for a trip on the Oldham winger. It was harsh to say the least.

Crewe looked the more likely side to score again and on 35 minutes, Lowe had another sight at goal after a probing run from McNamee. The cross sat nicely up for him, but Lowe just didn't get a clean enough connection to it.

With five minutes of the first half remaining, the Oldham captain Will Haining was cautioned for dragging Nicky Maynard to the floor on the edge of the box. Crewe couldn't make the free-kick count and a splendid first half ended with Michael O'Connor lashing a shot into the supporters.

Crewe also made a rather vibrant start to the second half with Haining handily placed to smuggle a McNamee cross off his own goal line. Oldham needed to get themselves back into the game and Crewe were thankful to Daniel O'Donnell for getting something onto a shot from Warne after some good approach play from Luigi Glombard. It was real end-to-end stuff and with Oldham desperate for three points, it gave it the game a really nice edge.

Lowe again had another glorious chance to put us 2-0 ahead after racing clear of the Oldham defence on 56 minutes. Again Michael O'Connor was the creator, robbing Wellens of possession on the edge of the Crewe box before releasing Lowe with a perfectly weighted pass. After breaking the Oldham offside trap, the Alex striker would have been disappointed to have dragged his final shot wide of Blayney's left hand post.

A few minutes later, Ben Williams came to O'Donnell's rescue after he slipped up close to the by-line to let Glombard have a sight at goal. Before the striker had chance to realise that he had been gifted a chance, Williams dived at his feet to smother the opportunity.

Crewe then lost Woodards due to injury, which meant a recall for Welshman Moss. Oldham made a chance themselves with Andy Liddell coming for Craig Rocastle.

Maynard was always a constant threat with his pace and after he had broken the offside trap, his low cross was intercepted by the covering full-back Simon Charlton. Lowe and McNamee had done exceeding well to have joined Maynard inside the Oldham box.

Before his decisive second goal, Maynard had a glorious chance, which would have meant the first senior hat-trick of his career! McNamee, who again showed flashed of his tricks and flicks throughout the game, did everything right to deliver the perfect cross. After the cross had missed out Gregan, Maynard should have really scored but he uncharacteristically lifted his effort over the bar from close range.

It didn't take him too long to make amends though because ofn71 minutes, it was his turn to race clear on goal and he made no mistake with a tidy finish. Lowe had done superbly in build-up, which again left the Oldham defence awfully exposed. In the process of scoring, Maynard suffered a clattering from the Oldham keeper Blayney and had to be withdrawn. The last thing, the likes of Gregan would have wanted to see was an eager Luke Varney coming on?

Just 60 seconds after the substitution was made, Oldham went close to giving themselves temporary hope. After the referee missed a foul on defender Julien Baudet, the Oldham winger Chris Taylor forced Ben Williams into what was arguably his first real save of the game. The Alex keeper showed great agility to push away his fiercely driven shot.

Crewe had been incensed by the late challenge on Baudet and that looked to boil over moment later when our French defender was dumped on the pitch once agan. In the aftermath, Ben Williams and Oldham striker Paul Warne were cautioned for a touch of the 'handbags'.

Oldham kept going looking for a goal, which would could have forced a grandstand finish. Substitute Liddell shot high and wide from a decent enough position before Rix tripped Taylor on the edge of our box to offer them another chance from a free-kick. Liddell's first effort hit the wall but Wellens returned the rebound with a lot of interest. His powerful shot absolutely flew past Williams! There were six minutes left on the clock.

Varney only sight of goal arrived in the 89^th minute, but to be fair to him, Lowe's through ball just wouldn't come down quickly enough for him. He struck it cleanly enough but his half volley lacked the accuracy to test Blayney.

With the fourth official indicating six minutes of stoppage time, Crewe had to dig in and continue to stand up to Oldham's physical and sometimes direct approach. Things were getting so desperate for the Latics that after using all three substitutes, their defender Miki Roque was forced to limp through the final minutes. He was clearly in agony, but that only increased when the referee blew his whistle after what seemed an eternity.