Alex make Pirates walk the plank

Crewe extended their unbeaten run to 12 matches with a 3-0 victory over Bristol Rovers at Gresty Road on Easter Monday.

Only goal difference currently keeps Crewe out of the play-off places. Quick-fire goals from Ajay Leitch-Smith and Kelvin Mellor sank the Pirates with just six minutes gone at Gresty Road. Harry Davis added to the visitors' woes with a second-half penalty. Nick Powell played in Leitch-Smith and the striker's shot ballooned off the foot of defender Tom Parkes and over helpless goalkeeper Scott Bevan with only 64 seconds on the clock. Mellor doubled the lead soon afterwards, rising to head home Ashley Westwoood's free-kick. Crewe threatened to run riot but Bevan did well to deny Luke Murphy from close range before fisting over Powell's header. Rovers found their feet and Eliot Richards' low drive was tipped around a post by keeper Steve Phillips while Gary Sawyer saw a good effort saved. Adam Dugdale miscued a clearance to offer Richards another chance which he curled inches wide. Former Crewe man Danny Woodards had to head another looping Leitch-Smith effort off the line before Bevan kept out Davis at the far post. But four minutes after the break Davis made it 3-0 after Cian Bolger brought down Powell in the box. Matthew Lund went close to pulling one back with a free-kick that whistled just wide before and the midfielder also saw a header come back off the upright but by that point the result was never in doubt.