Crewe old boys Billy Waters and Luke Varney hit late goals as Cheltenham came from behind to beat the Alex, who had skipper George Ray sent off.
Aaron Taylor-Sinclair's determination handed Crewe a 34th-minute lead when the on-loan Motherwell defender brushed past Jordan Tillson on the edge of the box to drive low across keeper Scott Flinders.
Chris Porter was inches away from adding a second from Ryan Wintle's cross. But Cheltenham were level in first-half stoppage time when Kevin Dawson made the most of Ryan Broom's cross which dropped nicely for the midfielder to tuck in from 15 yards.
Crewe's players were furious as referee Trevor Kettle waved away handball appeals in the build-up to the goal. But there was little doubt when the maligned official produced a red card for Ray, who had been booked in the first half, after he followed through wildly on Tillson.
Cheltenham made the most of their advantage to press the home side back and sub Waters was left unmarked to head home Chris Hussey's cross before Varney sealed victory when he swept into the far corner with aplomb at the end of a quick break, claiming his 14th goal of the season.
Report supplied by the Press Association.
