Macclesfield ran riot against Crewe in the first half but were then forced to hold on after the break in a 4-1 win at Moss Rose.
The home side opened the scoring in the fourth minute when Colin Daniel played a neat one-two with Emile Sinclair before threading a pass for Ben Wright to slot home his second goal in three games.
Paul Bolland then capitalised on a slip from Alex skipper Danny O'Donnell to close in on goal and complete a 30-yard run with a 15-yard shot under Steve Phillips.
Crewe midfielder Steven Schumacher then twice went close from the edge of the box before former Crewe player Daniel lashed home a stunning 35-yard drive to give the Silkmen a three-goal lead.
Crewe dominated the second half and were given a lifeline in the 64th minute when Macclesfield goalkeeper Jonny Brain dropped a John Brayford cross under pressure from substitute Calvin Zola, who turned on a loose ball to score his 14th of the season from 10 yards.
They then went in search of another goal with Clayton Donaldson firing a shot into the side-netting after 77 minutes and Matt Tootle blasting over the crossbar only 60 seconds later.
The home side sealed the points in injury-time when sub Ricky Sappleton brushed aside the central defenders to bundle home his fifth goal of the season from close range.
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