INJURY-hit Crewe and Nantwich crashed to their fourth successive league defeat in a 20-7 reverse at Oswestry.

Nick Price's side finally lost their grip on third spot in SLC Division Two as the hosts leapfrog on points difference.

Hopes of finishing the season as best of the rest now look in serious jeopardy with the club struggling to cope with a severe injury crisis.

Six changes had to be made to the side that lost 30-11 at Warrington but Crewe responded well to adversity, shocking the hosts with some strong running and aggressive forward play.

The big Oswestry forwards were constantly driven off the ball and the visitors shipped it quickly down the backs.

Andre Zwijen's strong run gave Tom Maguire room on the outside and he beat the last man to go over near the posts on five minutes.

Oswestry struck back with a penalty and it was Crewe's lack of discipline at the ruck that made all the difference, blowing a great position by allowing the hosts to clear their lines.

A quickly-taken penalty caught them off guard, allowing the home forwards to trundle over the line and the game looked gone with two more tries before the break.

Crewe played almost the entire second-half in their opponents half but were unable to turn any of their pressure into points through yet more soft penalties.

Price hopes to have several players back in contention as they look to stop the rot on a trip to Wallasey, this Saturday.

The seconds maintained their promotion bid with a 23-0 victory over potential team-mates.

Both currently operate in Miller Homes Division 4S.

But now the 2nd XV look to go up after this latest success.

Tries for Twig, Tatlock and Wallace plus a penalty from Wall gave the seconds an 18-0 lead at the break.

Sam Telfer was held up over the line as the thirds looked to get back in it but Bobby George crossed the line to seal a solid victory.

Two points puts them top of the pile with a trip to rock-bottom Broughton Park on Saturday.