Matus Holicek fired the Alex ahead with a stunning strike before Gibson scored either side of the interval.

A Joel Tabiner own goal and a late header from Aden Flint saw Dale cut the arrears, but the visitors went down to their first league defeat in six games.

Crewe struck twice inside six minutes with first Holicek picking the ball up from Gibson and unleashing a drive from outside the box, which goalkeeper Sam Waller got a hand to, after 39 minutes.

Young Chelsea loanee Kaiden Wilson was then brushed aside too easily by Owen Lunt and the midfielder squared the ball across the box for Gibson to tap in on the stroke of half-time before the latter poked in from 10 yards 10 minutes into the second half.

Dale cut the arrears when Glenn Middleton’s cross diverted off Tabiner in the 65th minute and Flint headed in substitute Ed Francis’ cross from close range in the closing stages.