Arguably better than his opener at Yeovil a week before, Maynard's 14th-minute strike was just the early fillip Crewe needed on an afternoon when nerves would be frayed with news of results elsewhere.

For while Cheltenham set themselves up with a cautious-looking 4-5-1 formation, they had a dangerous customer in Steven Gillespie.

The former Liverpool trainee forced Ben Williams into a near-post block as early as the third minute, which was not the only time the Alex keeper was called upon in a first 45 in which his side controlled most of the play.

-The Sentinel

Neil Baker believes relegation would not be an issue if Crewe's Nicky Maynard had been fit for the whole season. Striker Maynard hit his first ever hat-trick to put the Alex within touching distance of safety and Baker said: "If he had been fit all season things may have been very different, but we will never know.

"We are just glad he has been fit for the last few games and it looks like he is going to keep us in this division."

-The Daily Star

Hat-trick hero Nicky Maynard ran rings around the Robins - and straight into a row with team-mate Julien Baudet. Crewe skipper Baudet was convinced the last goal should have been his.

Maynard who bundled in Baudet's header said: "I think if the game had been 15 minutes longer his shot might have eventually trickled in. Julien's been joking that I lied about getting the last but it was my goal."

-The Sun

Keith Downing the Cheltenham manager said: "I have been telling my players all week that Nicky Maynard is dangerous and I was proved right. He came up with some quality finishes."

- The Times