Crewe Alexandra stretched their unbeaten run to eight games unbeaten with a fantastic 2-0 win over Leeds United. Goals in each half by strikers Dean Ashton and Mark Rivers gave Crewe one of their most famous victories in the club's entire history. Leeds will feel they contributed enough to the game to have a share of the spoils, but the Alex front two were ruthless whilst the Leeds forwards continued to watch countless crosses whiz across the Crewe box. That proved the difference over the 90 minutes.

A resolute Crewe battled hard for the cause and their work out on the training ground paid off with Ashton and Rivers converting two set-play routine's conjured up by Kenny Lunt. What a way to start the New Year!

Chris McCready returned to the starting line-up following Jon Otsemobor's decision to return to Liverpool after his three-month loan spell expired yesterday. The versatile McCready slotted in at right full-back ahead of the injured Billy Jones, who it has been confirmed with miss the next few weeks with a thigh strain.

Following Crewe Alexandra's 2-1 at Queens Park Rangers on Tuesday, boss Dario Gradi named Lee Bell and Rich Walker for their third successive starts, with Justin Cochrane and the well again Steve Jones named on the substitutes bench.

The New Year's Day encounter kicked off in the midst of a severe downpour at Elland Road after an impeccable one minute silence for the victims of the Tsunami disaster in Asia.

The home side forced a first minute corner before David Healy delivered an early cross than flashed across the Crewe area, just evading Leeds' new loan signing Nathan Blake. For all the early pressure, it was Dean Ashton who had the first real sight of goal after a neat interchange of passing from David Vaughan and captain Kenny Lunt. From just inside the area, Ashton had two bites at the chance but dragged his second wide of the target, hitting Paul Butler in the process.

Leeds were certainly looking dangerous from the flanks with Walker called upon to cut out a wicked looking cross from Danny Pugh after an energetic burst from the middle of the park from teenager Aaron Lennon.

Blake, who has joined Leeds on a one-month loan from Leicester City, to replace the injured Brian Deane fired his first effort of the afternoon well wide of the mark from 25 yards out before from a similar position, Healy curled an effort a lot closer in the tenth minute.

Crewe coped with the early storm and took the lead in the 16^th minute with Ashton thumping home his 19^th goal of the season from a Lunt corner. Acquiring the space he needed in a crowded box, the Championship's leading scorer volleyed home superbly to leave Elland Road stunned. It was no more than Ashton had deserved after winning the corner in the first place by chasing a loss cause up against Matthew Kilgallon. It was one straight off the training ground and must be one of the early contenders for the goal of the season award.

In response, Leeds nearly caused a mix-up in the Crewe box, but Adie Moses took command, rounded the onrushing Clayton Ince and was able to clear the danger away from the dangerous Healy. A few minutes later and Sean Gregan headed a Jermaine Wright corner wide of Ince's far post, as the home side tried to get themselves back into the game.

On 28 minutes, the impressive Lennon produced another one of his probing runs, this time forcing Ince into his first save of the game. Lennon's left footed drive gathered pace on the wet surface, forcing Ince not to take any chances and he pushed it behind for a corner, which amounted to nothing more than an easy claim for the Crewe number one.

A few minutes later and Healy forced Ince into another fine save from a direct free-kick following Walker's adjudged foul on Blake. Healy hit it well enough from 30 yards, trying to take advantage of the conditions but Ince was up to the challenge and only conceded another corner with an important touch.

Ten minutes before the interval and a fine Crewe move nearly resulted in Ashton tapping home his second of the afternoon. A flowing move involving Bell, Moses, Sorvel and Lunt released McCready down the right flank and his early cross was destined for the prolific boot of Ashton - only for Butler to produce a perfectly timed block tackle in front of his keeper Neil Sullivan.

Lennon's pace was a constant danger and he looked the most likely to get the Yorkshire side back into the game. His forceful run left Moses in his wake and forced Ince into another full stretched save, and there was Stephen Foster on hand to prevent Healy from reaching the tempting rebound. Crewe had survived another almighty scare and went in at the break leading 1-0 thanks to Ashton's brilliance.

The lashing and relentless rain got considerably worse during the half-time break and the rollers were bought onto the pitch to ease some of the surface water that had collated. The weather was horrid and the conditions hampered both sides, in their attempts to play attractive football.

Despite that, the home side came out of the blocks strongly again. Lennon forcing Ince into another smart save from the edge of the box, but on this occasion a slight deflection off the boot of Moses took some of the power from his shot. At that point, Crewe were finding it extremely difficult to get hold of the ball and the conditions restricted our passing.

Five minutes after the restart, Lennon seized onto a slip from Moses and whipped over another superb ball across the area, but the recovering Sorvel did superbly well to get ahead of Healy inside the six-yard box and the danger was averted.

With Crewe's first attack of the second period we extended our lead. Lunt delivered another one of his tempting free-kicks, causing mayhem inside the Leeds area, before Rivers spun and smacked home his eighth goal of the season. The pocket of Crewe fans were in wonderland in the Yorkshire drizzle.

We continued to be comfortable in possession and knocked the ball around confidently and with purpose and when we had to regain it in the centre of the park, Sorvel and Bell were prepared to slide into challenges in the sludge. Gregan was booked for a tackle from behind on Bell and that was coming after an earlier late challenge on Sorvel.

Both sides then made changes on the hour mark, with Paul Bignot replacing McCready and Leeds introducing another of their new signings Gylfi Einarrson for Pugh.

On the break a fantastic pass from Vaughan released Ashton through the middle, but the England Under-21 starlet saw his progress hampered by the mud and his shot lacked any real power to trouble Sullivan.

Moses was then cautioned for a foul on Lennon and Butler for a lunge at Vaughan. Leeds boss Kevin Blackwell then introduced the fresher legs of Simon Walton for former Crewe midfielder Jermaine Wright.

The ball continued to get stuck in the mud, and on other occasions whipped off the surface with real pace. Both set of players continued to work their socks off in the wind and rain and despite the awful conditions; it was still an entertaining affair.

With a little over 15 minutes remaining, the hardworking Ashton made way for Luke Varney. He received generous applause from the home supporters for his performance, where he was called upon to play as the lone striker for much of the game and wait for the support of the breaking Vaughan, Lunt and Rivers. Rivers playing in a more withdrawn role, worked tirelessly for the cause and his goal was just reward for his endeavour.

A last throw of the dice saw Michael Ricketts introduced for Gary Kelly, but any hopes of a comeback were virtually ended when Butler was booked for a second time for a tired pull back on the flying Varney. It made no difference if Butler was the last man, he knew another yellow card was on its way and was walking off the pitch before referee Andre Marriner administrated the punishment.

To their credit, Leeds continued to press, hoping for a lifeline and Walton nearly created a tense finish when his cross rebounded back off the top of the cross bar following the most bizarre award of a corner this season.

Leeds huffed and puffed, but just couldn't find that decisive touch to really test Ince and his determined back four. There last effort fell to Healy, but Ince stood firm to prevent a stoppage time consolation. They certainly deserved their clean sheet this afternoon and the 1,700 Alex fans could not ask for any more from the lads. It was a day to remember.