CALVIN Zola returned from injury to inspire Crewe’s vital 4-0 romp at Cheltenham.

The big man took his tally to 12 as he bagged a goal in each half to steer Alex away from the depths of League Two.

Steve Schumacher and Danny Shelley were also on target for Dario Gradi’s men who went for the jugular.

The boss opted for his preferred strike pairing of Zola and Shaun Miller while Adam Legzdins came in between the sticks after Steve Collis cried off.

An impressive attacking edge was evident early on as Joel Grant went close on the volley and Miller forced a top save from home keeper Scott Brown.

John Brayford was also on the offensive, evading his marker to head a James Bailey free-kick marginally over the bar.

Frankie Artus lashed a 25-yarder against the bar at the other end while Legzdins pushed David Bird’s low drive onto the foot of the post as Cheltenham countered.

However Crewe got the crucial first goal when Miller drove Bailey’s set-piece across the six-yard box and Zola headed home on 29 minutes.

Excellent in dead ball situations all game, Bailey paved the way for Crewe’s second.

The hosts just couldn’t cope with his delivery and Schumacher drilled the loose ball into the bottom corner for 2-0 on 37 minutes.

Crewe continued to dictate terms in the second-half with both Grant and Miller wasting chances before the woodwork saved them yet again.

Alsop’s header rattled the bar just seconds prior to Crewe’s killer third.

Miller played in Shelley who turned his man before unleashing a left footer past Brown on 69 minutes.

Zola wrapped things up three minutes later as he outmuscled two defenders to nudge home his second and seal three important points.

“There was too much excitement for my liking in the first-half because the ball was in both penalty areas and it could have gone either way,” explained Gradi.

“But we defended a lot better in the second-half.

“That is the best our centre-halves have done all season and you can see improvement.

“Our attacking play was very good, we’ve scored four goals and could have scored a few more.

“Zola is an important player for us because he gives us that presence and is in such a good run of form in terms of goals.

“I arrived in the morning to be told Steve (Collis) was sick so we had to send him home.

“Adam has come in and done very well and that is a bonus to have him playing like that.

“He has to keep that going now.”

Crewe: Legzdins, Brayford, Westwood, Mitchel-King, Ada, Shelley, Bailey, Schumacher (Walton 74), Grant, Miller (Moore 86), Zola (Donaldson 80).

Subs not used: Bossu, O’Donnell, Murphy, Jones.

Attendance: 3,124.