A performance to be proud of as Crewe Alexandra force current FA Youth Cup holders Arsenal to extra time and penalties but devastation as they eventually lose 5-4 in sudden death.

In the 90 minutes goals from Joe O'Sullivan and Harry Davis forced extra time. Davis grabbed his second to make it 3-3 and it needed penalties to decide the result.

A skittering of snow in the nation's capital was not enough to deter Crewe Alexandra from travelling down to Barnet to face Arsenal in the third round of the FA Youth Cup. After twice having their previous match with Bradford City called off, they were understandably cautious.

Academy coaches Neil Critchley and James Collins took in the conditions of the pitch prior to kick off, and the small area's of showing snow, preparing to give their team talk to a almost fully fit squad of under 18's. Chris Peel, Lewis Davenport and Harry Clayton missed out.

Nobody was expecting an easy game from the current holders of the trophy and the high tempo of the game was certainly set from the word go. It was Crewe who just edged the opening minutes of the game though setting their stall out well.

Crewe came closest just 10 minutes in with the first chance of the game after some good build up play. Andy White sent a good ball for Michael Koral who crossed well but the Arsenal defence was alert and twice cleared efforts from danger.

15 minutes passed and it was again Crewe with a half chance. Arsenal gave possession away in their own half just past the half way line. Jon Stephens picked up the pass, and put a ball to Jason Oswell very neatly into the box. Oswell's man blocked well and made sure the Alex front man went no further with his effort.

It was shaping up to be a good start for Crewe. It got better too, a good move between Jason Oswell and England Under 16 international Nick Powell saw Nick have a great shot on goal. From the edge of the box, his volleyed was well saved by the Arsenal keeper.

At the other end on the counter attack, Harry Davis headed off the line as Arsenal applied some pressure of their own. The resulting corner saw another attempt cleared off the line by Stephens just as the Arsenal support thought they had the opening goal. It gave the London club some confidence and the next few minutes were spent in our half of the pitch.

Crewe were awarded a penalty after 24 minutes. Oswell played in Oliver Turton who was brought down just inside the box. The referee blew for the spot kick and Joe O'Sullivan nicely slotted the ball in the back of the net to give Crewe the lead they had deserved.

Arsenal were under pressure, and were intent on getting an early goal back. Less than a minute later and Crewe stopper Daniel Platt dived well to stop a good cross from the Gunners young winger reaching the well-positioned striker.

The equaliser they pressed for came just before half an hour of play. A corner travelled over the Alex defence and keeper for their tall striker to leap and head over the line at the far post.

As half time approached, Arsenal came close to taking the lead. A shot just yards out was blocked by Platt, and travelled across the goal mouth. If another Arsenal man had been positioned well, it could have seen Crewe going in behind at the break -  but as it was the whistle blew and the scores were level pegging.

The second half started with Arsenal on top and dominating the play, but Crewe weren't giving in, Koral forcing the keeper into a good save as he ran from 25 yards into the box. A resulting corner saw Crewe take the lead on 50 minutes and silence their opponents. O'Sullivan took the corner well and Davis rose to head over the line and give Crewe the lead as well.

A long-range effort from Arsenal almost put them back in the game, but the shot could only go wide of the target. Minutes later as the clock read 61 minutes, Arsenal's front man was in clear with only the keeper to beat. Centre half Cheyenne Dunkley did his defensive duties and chased back to defend his keeper.

As the shot went in he threw himself to the floor in an effort to block it but it was Platt that was the man that did well to keep what could have been an obvious goal out of the net. Minutes later and he made another fantastic save to keep the Alex in the lead from another long range effort but one that was struck with real force.

Arsenal certainly weren't going down without a fight and with 20 minutes remaining made two changes to freshen up their team.

Just over ten minutes to play and a dangerous free kick was given away 20 yards out. A brilliant save from Platt and a further clearance from Dunkley off the line prevented another equaliser from Arsenal. A dubious corner was soon awarded and that equaliser came. The corner was taken quickly and as it fell to the floor inside the six yard box was sent clear over the line. The scores were level with 10 minutes to play.

Crewe were trying to restrict the Gunners to long range efforts, but even those were coming close to goals. As the minuets ticked away, Platt tipped another 25 yarder over the crossbar.

The final whistle was in sight and extra time looked imminent and Crewe almost grabbed that last minute winner through Dunkley but the keeper beat him to the well taken free kick. Three minutes were added for Crewe to search for that winning goal, but it couldn't be found.

Both teams were obviously looking tired. After 99 minutes of a great game, Arsenal supporters were celebrating a third goal - but the referee blew for a foul in the box after a corner.

As the first half of extra time came to an end, Arsenal were unlucky not to have taken it to 3-2 as yet another long range effort went just wide of the post.

Could that winning goal come in the next 15 minutes or will penalties be the deciding factor?

Crewe are awarded a free kick 25 yards out after a foul on substitute Sean Cooke on 107 minutes. The first year scholar took it himself but wasted the chance sending it straight into the wall. The  ball found its way back into the box though, and from the by line Davis scored his second of the game to give the edge with 12 minutes left to play. All Crewe needed to do now was hold on.

They couldn't do it though and five minutes later conceded once more from a corner. The game really could go either way. It was almost a repeat of that goal minutes later that could have given Arsenal the lead for the first time all game, but the Alex reacted quicker this time and cleared the ball.

Crewe couldn't find another goal though and the game was forced into penalties.

Oswell steps up first for Crewe, and it's 1-0. Arsenal up next and they sky their first shot. Davis is next for the Alex and despite the keeper diving the right way makes it 2-0, only for Arsenal to then make it 2-1. Substitute Max Clayton makes it three for Crewe, but Platt can't keep a second out for the Gunners. Cooke is next and strikes well to keep a 100% record for the Alex. All Platt needs to do is make one more save, but he can't and it's 4-3.

The fifth penalty taker for Crewe is Andy White, a chance to win the game, and it's saved. A final kick for Arsenal is scored and another penalty is needed. Dunkley misses, and if Arsenal score their next spot kick they head into the next round. And indeed they do. The game finishes 5-4 on penalties, but what a performance from the young Alex players.

Crewe: Platt, Rowntree, O'Sullivan, Dunkley, Davis, Stephens (Clayton), Koral (George), Oswell, Turton, White, Powell