Josh March scores late winner as Crewe beat Tranmere

Josh March scored an added-time winner as Crewe came from behind to beat Tranmere 2-1 and maintain their play-off push.

James Plant fired Rovers ahead just before the break, but substitute Conor Thomas levelled late on and March snatched a dramatic winner.

Reece Hutchinson’s long-range drive had Rovers keeper Marko Marosi backtracking as the ball dropped just over early on.

March lofted a header over at the far post and Tommi O’Reilly drove an effort straight at Marosi as Crewe stayed on the front foot, with Nathan Smith clearing Lewis Billington’s header off the line.

Tranmere had barely posed a threat, but they edged ahead in the 44th minute when Plant drove home a loose ball after Omari Patrick’s cross was deflected into the midfielder’s path.

Rovers were holding firm at the back past the hour mark, although O’Reilly went very close when driving across the face of goal.

Patrick almost caught Crewe out on the break with the striker driving inches past the far post.

Crewe looked to be running out of ideas, but substitute Thomas squared the contest after making a late run into the box to fire into the top corner in the 77th minute.

Another replacement, Jack Lankester, shot straight at Marosi but it was March who made it count, finding the corner after darting in at the far post to take O’Reilly’s ball.