TWO first half goals for Charlton condemned Crewe to defeat at the Alexandra Stadium on Tuesday night.

The scoreline was a little flattering to the Addicks as Crewe dominated for long spells, but their finishing let them down against a side who didn't look as good as their league position suggests.

Though Charlton started reasonably well and spurned a couple of half chances the Alex had a good opportunity in the thirteenth minute as Colin Little ran onto a Smith through ball but mistimed his volley. It beat the keeper but bobbled around the goal and was cleared by a defender.

A minute later Charlton went in front as Robinson ended a run on the left to cross to an unmarked Graham Stuart who easily buried it past Kearton from 8 yards.

The Alex controlled play from then on as they searched for an equaliser.

Cramb latched onto a long pass, cut inside Shield from the right and squared it to Little who blasted over the bar after 25 minutes.

Little had another looping volley held by the uncertain looking keeper, Kiely, and Cramb struck over the bar trying to test him from 30 yards on the half hour mark.

The Alex were made to pay for not converting their chances as Charlton added a second two minutes later. Brown took advantage of some sloppy defending to cross from the left and Pringle headed home.

Crewe should have pulled one back straight away as Jack found Little in space on the left and he squared it to an advancing Cramb in the middle of the box but he completely fluffed the golden opportunity.

The second half continued in the same vein, Charlton rarely threatened and Crewe despite most of the possession lacked the killer punch.

On 58 minutes Smith's corner into the box sparked a goalmouth frenzy. Lightfoot, Little and Cramb all tried to put the ball away but Charton's defence scrambled it away.

That summed up Crewe's night. Little had another volley well saved by Kiely as a breakthrough looked less and less likely.

Hopefully a change of fortunes will come in Burslem on Friday.

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