We started the game with a 3-5-1-1 formation with Eddie, Broady and the recovered Young at the back and Browning returning in midfield at the expense of Cook. With Fletcher also warming the bench, Best was on his own up front with Hayter dropping back.
The visitors (who were missing their top striker Maynard) started the brighter of the two teams and looked neat on the ball. Then, somewhat against the run of play, we nearly scored when a snap shot by Foley bounced off the crossbar.
A few minutes later Crewe had the ball in the net, but the ref had spotted a crafty handball by Varney. He also spotted a non-existent foul when a Crewe player trod on the ball just outside our box, but the resulting free-kick was deflected for a corner which came to nothing.
We began to get into the game and took the lead after 22 minutes. Foley swung the ball out to Purches on the left of the Alex's penalty area, a little dink into the middle and Best got across his marker to score with a stooping header at the near post.
We were now in the ascendancy with the Crewe defence looking rattled. However, they gradually regained their composure and began to create a few chances at the other end, with Roberts and Jack looking lively.
Although our back three were solid in the air, they looked vulnerable when run at with pace. Fortunately the visitors' final ball was never quite good enough.
HT: 1-0
During the interval, it looked as if the boardroom table and chairs had been brought onto the pitch for Darren Anderton to put pen to paper. I've got my doubts about his signing. But if it puts bums on seats, then it has to be a Good Thing.
Unsurprisingly Crewe took the game to us after the break, with Jack again going close. At the other Hayter was clearly brought down in the box, but the ref waved play on. Stewart was now by far the busier of the two keepers, kicking clear from Roberts and saving well from Vaughan.
Our back three were putting in a gritty performance, but we rode our luck on a number of occasions, especially when Ostemobor ran right though our defence only to find the side netting and also when Broadhurst appeared to chop Varney down from behind just as he was about to pull the trigger.
At the other end we got ourselves into good positions only for the final cross to go astray. When Hayter did find Best with a good cross, the Saints man could only manage a comical air shot.
At the final whistle, SOD received a fitting ovation from the fans to which he responded with a brief wave before disappearing down the tunnel for the last time. The end of an era for sure.
So, a good win against a decent side and the third home league win on the trot. We're grinding out wins without playing particularly well, which can't be a bad thing. Nobody had a bad game, except for Cooper who again looked out of sorts. Something for the new manager to work on?
Several contenders, but I'll give it to Browning for adding a bit of steel in midfield
AFCB: Stewart, Young, Howe, Broadhurst, Cummings, Cooper, Browning, Foley, Puches, Best, Hayter
Subs: Moss, Cooke, Fletcher (on for Best 84), Foley (on for Hollands 84), Gowling (on for Howe 90)