Right-back Jamie Morgan notched the goal in the first half as Lunt tried to move his players on quickly from the disappointing second round cup exit to Coventry City.

The Gaffer made numerous changes to freshen up his side, and that paid off in the first period with The Alex dominating and taking the lead in the 20th minute after the impressive Tom Lowery dinked the ball up on the half-turn for Morgan to drill his volley into the far corner from the edge of the box.

The second period was a rearguard masterclass, Crewe frustrating their opponents to grind out the victory and pile the pressure on Nottingham Forest at the top of the league.

Crewe: Harrison, Wilkinson, Dowsett, Quinn, Morgan, Pickering (Dale, 45), Riley, Lundstram, Whalley (Kirk, 60), Lowery, Higham