Chris Long’s early double strike helped secure Crewe a 2-1 win over Colchester.

The Railwaymen were out of the blocks quickly at Gresty Road with Long on the mark in the third and seventh minute.

The Us hit back strongly after the break when Samson Tovide cut the arrears and Crewe were left hanging on before registering their third success in the last four games.

Colchester’s defence failed to deal with Mickey Demetriou’s long throw and Long seized on the loose ball to rifle in the opener from close range.

Then when Connor Hall and Al-Amin Kazeem bundled Shilow Tracey over in the box, Long sent Owen Goodman the wrong way from the resulting penalty.

Courtney Baker-Richardson diverted a cross over and Crewe had the upper hand in the first half, although the Us had chances to get back into contention.

Joe Taylor volleyed over at the far post and later in the half the on-loan Luton striker burst clear inside the box, only to be thwarted by Alex keeper Harvey Davies.

Noah Chilvers also thumped in a low right-footed effort from the edge of the box which beat Davies and came back off the post.

Eventually, Tovide pulled a goal back eight minutes after the restart with the frontman sliding in to finish after Taylor drove a fierce cross over the six-yard box.

Tovide was also in on goal moments later but, with the equaliser in his sights, he blazed over.

The Us kept up their assault and Davies did well to tip over Arthur Read’s drive before Chilvers smashed an effort narrowly wide.

Us substitute Jay Mingi fired inches over and Taylor’s effort was cleared off the line by Luke Offord in stoppage time.