Accrington Stanley made it back-to-back victories with an emphatic 4-1 win over Crewe Alexandra.

After their win over Oxford midweek, John Coleman’s side controlled the game against a Crewe side struggling in the relegation places.

Ross Sykes celebrated a double with his first goals of the campaign, Tommy Leigh was on target while Sean McConville added a fourth - the winger the provider for the first three goals.

The only downside was a late goal for Crewe which prevented a clean sheet for the Reds.

Top scorer Colby Bishop came back into the Stanley starting line-up after missing two games with an ankle injury.

Ethan Hamilton had the first chance for Stanley on five minutes, hitting the ball on the bounce and it was narrowly over the bar.

Leigh’s looping header was collected by keeper Dave Richards while, at the other end, Chris Porter headed over the bar from a corner.

Stanley took the lead on 12 minutes when defender Sykes thumped home a header from a  McConville corner.

It was close to two on 16 minutes but Richards did well to dive low and keep out Cody Adedoyin’s header.

Crewe almost got back into on 22 minutes when Scott Robertson took the ball into the area, hit it past the outrushing Toby Savin but didn’t find the target.

Stanley continued to create the better chances - McConville curled an effort wide, Michael Nottingham headed over and Bishop was inches away from connecting with a ball across the goal, with Richards beaten, as Stanley led 1-0 at the break.

The Reds then took charge with three goals in 13 minutes.

Stanley extended their lead on 51 minutes when McConville’s free kick found Leigh and his powerful header was into the top corner of the net for his fifth goal of the campaign.

Number three came soon after on 60 minutes with McConville having his third assist of the game – his corner once again found the head of Sykes who, after celebrating his first goal of the campaign earlier in the game, was soon enjoying his second.

The fourth followed on 64 minutes when McConville’s free kick on the left curled into the back of the net.

Coleman was able to give January signing Marcel Lewis his debut off the bench and Rosaire Longelo also got more game-time.

Savin did have to be alert in the 88th minute when Chris Long almost grabbed a consolation for Crewe but the Reds keeper then saw his chance of a clean sheet thwarted in injury time.

A defensive mix-up allowed Dan Agyei to pounce on a loose ball and fire into the empty net.

Stanley: Savin, Clark, Nottingham, Sykes, Amankwah, Leigh, Butcher (Conneely), Hamilton, Adedoyin (Longelo), Bishop, McConville (Lewis)

Subs: Isherwood, Rodgers, Pell, Morgan

Yellow: Butcher, Sykes

Attendance: 2365 (412 Crewe)