Crewe Alexandra ended Bromley’s unbeaten run with a 4-1 home win to go second in League Two.
Omar Bogle’s first-half brace plus Jack Lankester’s strike put Crewe firmly in control at half-time.
Michael Cheek though briefly reduced Bromley’s deficit through a 36th minute penalty, following Jack Powell’s handball.
Jamie Knight-Lebel’s 82nd-minute header completed the victory after Kamarl Grant’s red card for Bromley which lifted Crewe up to second, whilst Bromley slipped to 12th behind MK Dons due to having scored one fewer goal than the Dons.
Amidst wet and chilly conditions and three other postponed fixtures, Crewe produced an impressive effort to get the game on after surviving the brunt of overnight snow across the UK.
Andy Woodman’s Ravens however almost took a fourth-minute lead as Idris Odutayo converted Danny Imray’s cross onto goal, only for Aston Villa loanee, Filip Marschall to make a crucial save.
Crewe steadily grew into the game but Max Sanders’ ninth-minute long-range shot was saved by Grant Smith, before Corey Whitely curled wide for Bromley just four minutes later.
The superior experience soon showed for Crewe as Lankester linked up with Sanders only for his eventual shot to be blocked by Smith, but Bogle was alert to follow up on the rebound to put the hosts in front in the 28th minute.
Bromley though came into this game unbeaten in 12 league matches but that run looked to end, as Bogle four minutes later added his second goal through a close-range strike from Lankester’s cross.
The Ravens however were given hope of a comeback after Cheek dispatched a penalty in the 36th minute, following a handball from Jack Powell inside his penalty box.
That hope was soon flattened to minutes later as Crewe re-opened a two-goal lead through Lankester’s strike, having met a pass from 18th-minute substitute, Lewis Billington following an injury to James Connolly.
Lankester saw a chance to further extend Crewe’s lead before half-time denied, whilst Whitely had another shot denied by Marschall as Bromley tried to pull another goal back.
Half-time saw Woodman opt for an attacking change to try and save Bromley from a first league defeat since 19 October, with Callum Reynolds substituted for Levi Amantchi amidst a formation change to 4-3-3.
The gamble initially looked to have little impact as Lankester and Bogle both saw chances denied in a strong start to the second half for the hosts.
Bromley managed to keep Crewe at bay for much of the second-half amidst another wasted shot from Whitely, whilst Grant was sent off following a trip on Long which earned him a second yellow card.
Crewe eventually wrapped up victory through Knight-Lebel’s 82nd-minute header unmarked from Billington’s headed pass, as the Railwaymen climbed to second on goal difference from Salford.
What’s Next?
Crewe head to Swindon next weekend on Saturday 11 January at 3pm GMT, as they continue to push for promotion.
Bromley turn their focus to a historic Third Round appearance in the FA Cup, as they visit Newcastle United on Sunday 13 January at 3pm, live on BBC iPlayer in the UK.
Teams
Crewe Alexandra: Filip Marschall, James Connolly (Billington 18′), Mickey Demetriou, Jamie Knight-Lebel, Max Conway, Jack Powell (Lunt 78′), Max Sanders (Tabiner 59′), Matus Holicek, Ryan Cooney, Omar Bogle (Long 78′), Jack Lankester (Tracey 58′)
Substitutes: Lewis Billington, Tom Booth, Charlie Finney, Chris Long, Owen Lunt, Joel Tabiner, Shillow Tracey
Bromley: Grant Smith, Kamarl Grant, Omar Sowunmi, Callum Reynolds (Amantchi 46′), Idris Odutayo, Jude Arthurs, Ben Thompson, Danny Imray (Passley 68′), Corey Whitely (Webster 83′), Louis Dennis (Congreve 60′), Michael Cheek (Olomola 68′)
Substitutes: Levi Amantchi, Ashley Charles, Cameron Congreve, Sam Long, Olufela Olomola, Josh Passley, Byron Webster
Referee – Scott Jackson