Crewe Alexandra's youngsters twice came from behind in a rallied attempt to get a result over the League leaders, Manchester City. Unfortunately it wasn't to be, as they proved too overpowering and finished with a 4-2 result.

It was the opening minutes that defined the game, with the Alex going 1-0 down within two minutes of play setting the tempo up straight away. The Alex's defence were caught out, and in an effort to prevent City's man from scoring, keeper Daniel Platt dived at his feet only to foul and concede a penalty.

Manchester City are a strong and heavy side, and it showed throughout the game, the defenders constantly overpowering the Alex attack.

It was less than 10 minutes in, and the visitors could have doubled their lead, with a 20-yard effort, but for a great save from Platt.

23 minutes of play had elapsed and the scores were back on level terms. Cheyenne Dunkley hit a fantastic free kick that fell to the feet of Ben Marshall. He controlled his shot and from just outside the box put it straight into the back of the net leaving the City stopper with no chance. It gave Crewe a flurry of confidence, and minutes later they could have taken the lead. Alex Titchiner, Matt Lund, Michael Jackson and Marshall did some good work to get in the box only for their efforts to go wasted as the ball was cleared by City's line of defence.

Crewe could have had a penalty of themselves after half an hour, when Titchiner was pushed in the box but all appeals were waved. Not long after, Jackson was fouled and a free kick was awarded on the edge of the box. Danny Shelley hit a powerful free kick, but hit the wall. It was hit with such power, one of City's players was winded and needed medical attention.

With half time approaching, Crewe were back in the game, and City were still piling on the pressure, but any efforts they had they could only send wide of the target.

Some good play from Jackson won his tackle on the half way line; Marshall took the ball forward and played Lund into the box. The midfielder hit his shot, and had the keeper not got a slight touch, it could have been another goal in Crewe's favour. The resulting corner saw an effort cleared off the line. Crewe were beginning to look stronger.

The stroke of half time saw Crewe concede at a time when they really didn't deserve to. City's man got between the two centre halves on the edge of the box, he unleashed his shot and gave them the lead once more.

The second half started with much of the same. And just over ten minutes in, Platt made another great save to give Crewe a chance of drawing back level. Mellor stepped up minutes later and prevented another chance as City had a handful of attempts on goal.

Just over an hour of play, and Crewe got the goal they had been searching for. Ben Marshall provided the initial ball to Danny Shelley, who did well to get around his man, crossed the ball into the box and Titchiner was waiting to poke it over the line. City's youngsters were not happy that it had crossed the line as the keeper dove at Titchiner's feet, but the linesman ruled for the equalising goal. All Crewe had to do now was hold on for the last half an hour.

Unfortunately, they couldn't manage it. With 20 minutes left on the clock, an error by Kelvin Mellor found City with possession on the edge of the box, and wasting no time controlled their touch and gave the visitors the lead once again. Time was ticking away and Crewe were not giving up, and pushing for yet another equaliser. Marshall took a corner with ten minutes to go, Mellor headed down to Titchiner, but his scissors kick ended up wide. Minutes later and substitute Jon Stephens raced down field from Marshall's pass, put in the crucial ball but City were alive and cleared the immediate danger. The corner that followed, gave a chance for Dunkley but again it was cleared. City were straight on the counter attack looking to take advantage of the space Crewe had left. They couldn't, and as with some previous attempts on goal, saw their shot go wide.

The final minutes of the game, and it was a sealed victory for City. The ball was picked up in midfield, carried into the box, the young City player got around Dunkley and aimed his shot well enough to get a fourth goal for City.

It was a disappointing result for Crewe's youngsters, who had fought well against a strong side leading the way at the top of the table.

Crewe: Platt, Shelley, Peel, Davis, Dunkley, Mellor (Stephens), Freeman, Lund, Titchiner, Marshall, Jackson, Rowntree