Midfielder Lee Martin's moment of brilliance saw Exeter pick up their first win in League Two since mid-October with a hard-fought 1-0 success against Crewe.
The Grecians were the better team in the first half and came close to an early breakthrough, but Jake Taylor's shot struck the crossbar.
Crewe rarely threatened and with defences largely on top on a saturated playing surface, it needed something special to break the deadlock.
Martin was the man to provide that quality in the 42nd minute - as he collected a Lee Holmes pass with his back to goal, turned onto his left foot and curled a beauty into the far-top corner with Ben Garratt beaten.
Crewe enjoyed their best spell of the game around the hour mark with Callum Ainley twice going close and with five minutes remaining, Shaun Miller missed their best chance when he struck the crossbar after rounding goalkeeper Christy Pym.
The visitors continued to press for an equaliser but Exeter, led by the outstanding Dara O'Shea, refused to buckle as they got their promotion bid back on track.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
