FOR BOWMAN
EXETER FOREST GREEN 1 ......... Shots on Target .........3 5 ........Shots off Target .........4 11 ................Corners .................4 22 ................Fouls.................. 12 4 ...............Offsides .................2 59.7 ..Passing Success ... 62.9 288 ...... Total Passes........345 47.1 .........Possession ........ 52.9 59.9 ..Territorial Adv% ....40.1 CHRIS PORTER’S strike and a Gethin Jones own goal sent Crewe top of the league as they held off a spirited fightback.
The visitors looked comfortable after Nicky Hunt and Daniel Powell fired them into a 2-0 lead.
However, Carlisle battled back to draw level in a thrilling second half, when Hallam Hope and Christie Elliott were on target, only for Alex to have the final say through Porter’s 78th-minute effort and Jones’ late misfortune.
“We found a way, whereas we might not have been able to do (that) last season,” said Crewe boss David Artell. “The players showed steel and resilience.
“It feels good to be top. Better top than bottom, that’s for sure.
“It’s great for the lads. Some of the older lads haven’t been top of the table before.
“There’s no pressure being top, you just have to keep on playing well.”
Crewe’s early pressure was rewarded with a seventh-minute goal after Tom Lowery’s free-kick from wide on the right caught the Carlisle defence napping. Byron Webster was unable to deal with an awkward bounce and Hunt pounced to steer the ball home from six yards. Crewe doubled their lead when a lightning break gave Powell the chance to race away and he arrowed a superb 18-yard shot across Adam Collin and into the top right-hand corner.
Carlisle needed something positive to raise their spirits and it came in the 59th minute, when substitute Stefan Scougall’s run gave Jack Iredale the opportunity to send in a low cross which Hope was able to slide home from close range.
Iredale was again the provider when Carlisle equalised five minutes later.
His cross found its way to Elliott, who volleyed past Dave Richards from six yards.
Alex regained the lead in the 78th minute, as James Jones made a quick impact from the bench.
He whipped over a cross that Porter forced home for his sixth strike of the season.
And Crewe settled a fluctuating contest in the 85th minute, when a cross from Perry Ng looped into the net via a deflection off Gethin Jones.
Carlisle manager Steven Pressley remained upbeat despite the result, but warned: “It will take time, perseverance and character.
“The fans can vent their anger at me. I accept the responsibility, but this group of players will in time come up with the answers. We were a yard short and not aggressive enough.” CARLISLE CREWE 4 ........ Shots on Target .........5 7 ........ Shots off Target .........3 1 .................Corners ................. 3 13 ................. Fouls .................. 12 3 ............... Offsides .................6 72.4.. Passing Success .... 81.4 81.......... Total Passes ........ 537 41.5 ........Possession ........ 58.5 55.7 .. Territorial Adv%... 44.3