Dean McDonald's first goal for Town saw the Blues to their third comeback 2-1 win in successive games. Crewe had gone ahead through Steve Jones on 15 but Alan Lee equalised three minutes later and McDonald's 53rd minute strike gave the Blues their first midweek win of the season.

Joe Royle decided to start as Saturday had finished with Richard Naylor joining Alan Lee up front. Fabian Wilnis moved into the centre of the defence, with Sito coming in at right-back. The Blues were without the suspended Owen Garvan, Darren Currie dropping back into the midfield four.

Naylor created the first danger of the game, sending a low ball across the six-yard box in the third minute but too far in front of Lee and Matt Richards.

Jimmy Juan headed a freekick from the left over, then Shane Supple was off his line quickly to clear in front of Luke Rodgers. The ex-Shrewsbury man made a strong run down the left in the 10th minute but screwed his shot well wide.

The Town keeper was in action again on 11, pushing Steve Jones's 20-yard shot past the post as Crewe started the stronger of the two sides. Their bright opening to the game was rewarded four minutes later when, after a throw-in from the right, Rodgers played the ball across the six-yard box and Steve Jones netted at close range.

Two minutes later there were further problems in the Town penalty area as Supple failed to reach a high ball. Gareth Taylor's strike was blocked and the keeper grabbed the loose ball.

On 18 Town got back on terms. Darren Currie's cross from the right was headed out to Matt Richards who lobbed the ball back into the area where Alan Lee got in ahead of goalkeeper Ross Turnbull to nod the ball into the net for his fourth goal in his six games for the Blues.

Town once again failed to deal with a set piece into the box in the 21st minute, a loose ball dropping to Richard Walker but the defender's overhead kick flew too high and into the stand.

The Blues were increasingly in the ascendant and starting to pass the ball around with ease, despite the shakiness at the back.

On the half hour mark Alan Lee dropped to the ground clasping his hamstring. The striker had missed training with a tight hamstring on Monday and it was immediately clear that the £100,000 signing from Cardiff would need to be replaced. Dean McDonald joined Richard Naylor up front.

Town's new strikeforce combined in the 36th minute, Naylor laying the ball off to McDonald but his shot flew across the face of goal.

On 42 Rodgers followed the ball in towards Supple's arms, causing the Irishman to drop the ball but the 18-year-old quickly recovered to claim at the second attempt.

Jimmy Juan hit a 25-yard freekick which Turnbull touched into the stand, although the ball appeared to be going over in any case. In injury time, Ian Westlake shot weakly to the keeper.

Town had been much the better team aside from the first 15 minutes when the Railwaymen had caused a few moments of danger, mainly from freekicks. The Blues had enjoyed most of the possession and had passed as slickly as was possible on an imperfect surface.

Two minutes into the second period, Steve Jones volleyed over, then Jim Magilton replaced the injured Fabian Wilnis. The Dutchman had picked up a rib problem early on and was struggling. Magilton lined-up on the right of midfield, Richard Naylor moved to centre-half and Darren Currie switched to his forward role.

Town's winning goal came in the 53rd minute. Matt Richards, involved in virtually everything for the Blues at both ends of the field, played a cross-field pass to Dean McDonald on the left, the former Arsenal trainee beating full-back Jon Otsembor and then curling a shot beyond Turnbull, off the post and into the net.

The former Liverpool defender will be disappointed at the ease with which McDonald beat him, but the keeper was given no chance with the strike.

Billy Jones picked up the game's only yellow card in the 56th minute for a foul on Westlake, then Stephen Foster flicked on a Crewe freekick but straight to Supple.

McDonald shot well wide and soon after Magilton teed up Juan on the edge of the area but Turnbull had little problem gathering the Frenchman's effort. Foster headed over from a corner, prior to Westlake's shot deflecting through to the keeper.

Town continued to have most of the game but couldn't add to their goals, Juan shooting over from 20 yards.

Late on, Taylor shot straight through to Supple and in injury time there was a scramble inside the Town box after the Forest loanee had flicked on a freekick. Supple punched the ball into the air and Luke Varney headed over.

A third win in a row for the Blues and up to ninth in the table. Town rarely looked like doing anything other than winning against a Crewe side looking low on confidence and ability.

The biggest concern on the night was the loss of Alan Lee and Fabian Wilnis to injuries. A knock to another striker is the main concern with Sam Parkin, Danny Haynes and Nicky Forster all still out of action and Adam Proudlock not yet ready for a return.

Dean McDonald's excellent winning goal is likely to see him continue to play some role in the Town side at Wolves on Saturday even if Lee is fit, the youngster causing the Crewe defenders problems throughout his time on the field.

Town: Supple, Sito, Barron, Wilnis (Magilton 50), De Vos, Richards, Westlake, Juan, Currie, Naylor, Lee (McDonald 33). Att: 5,686.

Photo: Action Images

Ipswich Town Polls