A goal in either half from Matty Fryatt and Andy King maintained Leicester City's grip on top spot in League One.
Fryatt's 16th of the season after 15 minutes put the Foxes on their way against rock-bottom Crewe Alexandra.
But Calvin Zola's reply threatened to put a dampener on proceedings.
However, City continued to bombard the visitors' goal with Stuart Tomlinson making several key saves, but Andy King made sure of the three points with his sixth of the campaign - and his second in as many matches.
City threatened early on when Lloyd Dyer's free-kick was hastily punched behind by Tomlinson in the Alex goal.
The visitors hit back with a period of pressure with David Martin, in for the injured Paul Henderson, being forced to back-track to save a Zola header.
But City should have gone a goal up on 11 minutes when King raced on to Matt Oakley's neat chip over the retreating defence.
However, after rounding the defender, the in-form midfielder fired his shot over the bar from six-yards out.
But the Foxes did take the lead in the 15th minute through leading marksman Fryatt.
Joe Mattock played in Dyer down the left flank before the pacy winger laid the ball back for the striker.
He did the rest, composting himself before curling the ball past Tomlinson and into the top right hand corner much to the delight of the Blue Army.
The hosts almost doubled their advantage two minutes later when Tomlinson produced a fine double save from Fryatt and then DJ Campbell.
At the other end, Danny Woodards put his speculative shot high and wide in the 19th minute before Bruno Berner saw his effort saved by Tomlinson on 23 minutes.
Tomlinson tipped Oakley's header over the bar from Berner's pin-point cross in the 28th minute.
However, against the run of play, Crewe equalised through Calvin Zola on 30 minutes.
Campbell failed to clear his lines in the corner and the marksman pounced from the left hand angle, firing the ball low past Martin inside his near post.
King looped his shot over the bar in the 34th minute then Tomlinson saved from Fryatt after the forward had met Campbell's chest down.
Oakley was the next to try his luck from a tight angle but again the stand-in skipper was thwarted by the Alex shotstopper.
The Foxes were indebted to Martin in first half injury time when he kept his side level.
The hosts were caught out with a ball over the top, but with Zola clean through, the 'keeper stood firm to make a save with his foot and as a result it remained 1-1 at the break.
Fryatt headed straight at Tomlinson from Mattock's hanging cross at the start of the second period.
Mattock shot narrowly wide from the left hand angle in the 53rd minute before Michael Morrison headed onto the roof of the net from King's corner three minutes later.
Manager Nigel Pearson made a double change on 58 minutes with Campbell and the injured Oakley making way for Steve Howard and Max Gradel.
Gradel shot well over the bar from 25-yards in the 63rd minute before Clayton Donaldson replaced goalscorer Zola on 68 minutes.
Tomlinson tipped Fryatt's header around the post for another Foxes corner moments later but he could little to prevent City from restoring their advantage in the 72nd minute.
From Gradel's accurate corner, King rose highest to plant his firm header from close range past the Alex 'keeper to make it 2-1.
Crewe made another change on 81 minutes with Shaun Miller coming on for Woodards.
Jack Hobbs replaced Marc Edworthy in the 85th minute then Fryatt headed just wide from Gradel's teasing cross.
The winger's cross almost crept into the far corner in the 88th minute but City had already done enough to secure another three points.
City: Martin, Edworthy (Hobbs 85), Tunchev, Morrison, Mattock, Berner, Oakley © (Gradel 58), King, Dyer, Fryatt, Campbell (Howard 58). Subs not used: Cisak, Hayles.
Crewe: Tomlinson, Woodards (Miller 81), O'Donnell, Baudet, Jones ©, O'Connor, Bailey, Brayford, Daniel, Lunt, Zola (Donaldson 68). Subs not used: Rix, Lawrence, Grant.
Yellow Cards
City: None
Crewe: None
Referee: Gavin Ward (Surrey)
Attendance: 16,969 (201 away)
