An early set-piece header from Curtis Nelson was followed by another headed finish from Marvin Ekpiteta before the break.

Skipper Alex Gilbey added a third, with Adrien Thibaut grabbing a consolation for the hosts.

The visitors went ahead in the 12th minute when Nelson made the most of Liam Kelly’s deep corner, the defender’s downward header beating Ian Lawlor at the keeper’s near post.

Lawlor denied Jack Sanders and Nathaniel Mendez-Laing but was powerless when the Dons doubled their lead on the stroke of half-time, Ekpiteta glancing home a header home from Mendez-Laing’s cross.

Crewe were the better side for a spell after the break with Thibaut, one of two half-time changes by the Railwaymen, driving a low effort against a post.

But Gilbey added a third for the visitors in the 66th minute with a curling shot from the edge of the box that flew in off the post after Ekpiteta teed him up.

Thibaut forced Jack Powell’s free-kick over the line to reduce the arrears with 15 minutes left.