James Collins' side start campaign with victory

Crewe Alexandra U21's started their pursuit to retain their PDL2 title with an opening home victory over Brentford at Reaseheath.

Brad Inman gave the Alex an early lead, capitalising on a defensive mistake, before the Bees levelled on the stroke on half-time.

The away side went 2-1 ahead 20 minutes into the second-half when Perry Ng's poor back pass was intercepted, but Inman's second put Crewe back on level terms with 13 minutes to go.

The Railwaymen won the game with late goals from George Cooper and then Callum Saunders to give Collins a happy start to the U21 season.

All three goal scorers will have hoped to have caught the eye of first team manager Steve Davis ahead of the weekend's trip to Swindon Town.

Crewe AlexandraU21: Scott Shearer; Perry Ng, Jon Guthrie, Toby Mullarkey, Matt Neal; George Cooper, Liam Nolan, Chris Atkinson, Brad Inman; Callum Saunders, James Jones.

Subs: Liam Matthews, Joe Howell, Callum Pritchard Ellis, Andre Brown, Chris Speed