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Nicky Ajose's fifth goal of the season helped Crewe Alexandra to a third straight derby win over local rivals Port Vale as they climbed out of the League One relegation zone.

On-loan Ajose had his early penalty saved by Chris Neal after he had been brought down in the box by the keeper.

But he then hit the 39th-minute winner, poking home a Jamie Ness through ball.

Fit-again Vale striker Tom Pope's late header was saved and Chris Lines hit the bar from distance as Crewe held on.

After 13 matches out with a knee injury, Pope was brought on by the final half hour against his old club in a triple substitution by Vale boss Rob Page, but the home side could not avoid suffering a Crewe derby double.

The Alex's fourth win in their last six league matches lifts them two points above the drop zone, stretching their run in derby games to just one defeat in seven.

Port Vale striker Tom Pope told 91�ȱ� Radio Stoke:

"If you're looking to be in the top six at the end of the season, then, no disrespect, but you've got to be beating Crewe, certainly at home, and that's six points dropped against them this season now.

"Were not daft. Consistency is a massive thing. We've been far too inconsistent this season and it's starting to show again.

"Rob Page has given us self belief but too many times we're not listening to what he says and not doing the right things and it's costing us games."

Crewe manager Steve Davis told 91�ȱ� Radio Stoke:

"The goal was no more than we deserved for our first-half performance. We could have been two or three up at half-time.

"It was a great pass from Jamie Ness. The Vale defenders thought he was lining up to shoot but he cleverly slipped Nicky in behind.

"That is the quality Nicky has. He's popped up just a few minutes after his penalty miss to score the winner. A lot of players would have reflected on that miss but he didn't. He kept getting in there and looking for chances."