Goals in either half from Ed Turns and Theo Archibald secured leaders Leyton Orient a 2-0 win at Crewe.
Richie Wellens’ side showed a clinical edge as they eased back to form, making it back-to-back victories after two consecutive defeats to move seven points clear at the summit.
Goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux was alert to early danger when he clutched a cross from Crewe’s Elliot Nevitt at his post as Dan Agyei waited to finish off.
The O’s took a while to exert their influence in the box but went close when Charlie Kelman got the better of goalkeeper Dave Richards, poking Tom James’ through ball goalwards, with Rod McDonald getting back to clear.
Some close passing inside the box set up Turns in the 31st minute, with the on-loan Brighton defender taking Kelman’s pass and driving a low right-footed shot into the corner.
Crewe responded with some spirit and Nevitt’s blockbuster was pushed around by Vigouroux before Agyei drilled a shot across the face of goal in first-half stoppage time.
Nevitt continued to pose a threat when he flicked the outside of a post with a 20-yard drive shortly after the restart.
But home hopes were dashed after a neat exchange of passes saw Kelman offered space to pull the ball back from the byline and Archibald got across his marker to hit a low finish and double Orient’s lead in the 58th minute.
