Moreno scores in Crew’s 1-0 win

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Alejandro Moreno scored his career-best ninth goal of the season and the Columbus Crew beat the Galaxy, 1-0, Saturday night.

Columbus (16-6-5) solidified its hold on first place in the Eastern Conference. It has an MLS-best 53 points, with eight wins in its last 10 games.

Moreno stepped around his defender inside the penalty area and headed a long crossing pass from Danny O’Rourke past goalkeeper Josh Saunders in the 43rd minute.

Two minutes later, the Galaxy (7-12-8) failed to convert on its best scoring opportunity when Landon Donovan’s shot from a tight angle beat goalkeeper William Hesmer but slipped inches past the right post and out of play.

“I thought overall it was one of our ugliest games of the last 10, but it was effective,” Hesmer said. “If we’re going to play one of our ugliest games and still come out with a win, I think that says a lot about our team.”

Referee Jorge Gonzalez had his hands full in a chippy first half, signaling 14 fouls and booking three players -- the Crew’s Brian Carroll in the ninth minute, and the Galaxy’s Peter Vagenas in the 29th minute and David Beckham in the 32nd. Jordan was booked in the 83rd minute.

Beckham’s booking drew derisive cheers from the sellout crowd, although cameras flashed throughout the stadium whenever Beckham took one of his trademark free kicks.

“I always expected a great atmosphere, and it was a great atmosphere,” Beckham said. “And I like the climate. It’s more like in London. . . . It was a bit colder tonight, so perfect to play soccer in. I enjoyed it, apart from losing.”

Beckham was injured when the Galaxy made its only appearance in Columbus last season, the English star’s first in MLS.

Coach Sigi Schmid and Crew defender Frankie Hejduk each served a one-game suspension for their ejections from last week’s game.