Steve Jones netted his first goals for Crewe as they staked their claims for promotion to the first division with a 2-0 victory over rivals QPR.
The former Leigh RMI winger was making his only second start for the Railwaymen, but he could have had a hat-trick as the home side dominated the game.
Rob Hulse had an early chance when his backwards header from Efe Sodje's long throw-in looped towards the far corner, but Rangers keeper Fraser Digby managed to palm the effort over.
Richard Walker shot weakly into Digby's hands from eight yards out and Hulse nearly turned in a free-kick from Dave Brammer that the keeper was unable to gather.
It was no surprise when Crewe took a 28th minute lead but it was the result of some horrendous defending between Danny Shittu and Terrell Forbes as both defenders left the through ball to each other allowing Jones to nip in and tuck a low shot between the keeper and the near post.
Hulse should have made it two just before half-time when he was presented with a one on one following a neat ball from Kenny Lunt, but Digby guessed right with his dive and held the forward's shot.
QPR had opened brightly but were swamped in the second half. Jones should have scored when he went through on the left of the box but shot straight at the keeper and Sodje thumped a header from Ben Rix's corner onto the underside of the bar.
Jones again should have scored when he again went through with just the keeper to beat but Digby was able to block his effort.
But Crewe were not to be denied and when Rodney Jack burst clear on the right his cross was missed by a defender and Jones turned it in with his right foot from eight yards out in the 69th minute.
Rangers' miserable afternoon was complete when Lunt tripped substitute Dennis Oli but Paul Furlong's weak penalty kick was easily saved by Clayton Ince.
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