Crewe Alexandra emphatically ended Carlisle United's nine-game unbeaten run with a thumping victory. Thanks to a stunning hat-trick from the recalled Ryan Lowe and a brace from Luke Varney, the Railwaymen ran out convincing winners against Neil McDonald's side. We had to do it the hard way too, with the visitors taking the lead through their leading striker Karl Hawley. There were chances at both ends but the Alex, who had been out-of-sorts on the road of late, were absolutely clinical.

Jon Otsemobor and Michael O'Connor returned to the Crewe Alexandra starting line-up after missing the mid-week defeat at Swansea City through injury. Those who stepped in at the Liberty Stadium, Darren Moss and Ben Rix made way again. The surprise inclusion was Ryan Lowe, who was used as a substitute in South Wales. The former Shrewsbury Town and Chester City forward came in for centre-half Danny O'Donnell as Dario Gradi reverted back to a more attack-minded 4-3-3 and again the tactical switch paid off.

It was the well-supported Carlisle United who created the first chance of the afternoon when their leading marksman Karl Hawley broke free of our back four in the opening four minutes. The former Walsall man latched onto a through ball from the former Crewe man Chris Lumsdon to go one-on-one with Ben Williams, but the Crewe keeper stood firm to pull off another magnificent save. From the resulting corner, Williams was called into action once again to push away a firm shot from midfielder Chris Billy.

In the early exchanges, Crewe were struggling to get a grip on the proceedings. Our final ball wasn't quite good enough to get in behind the Carlisle rearguard and some of our passing was sloppy and inaccurate. When we got into good positions a promising low cross from Otsemobor was hooked away from the 6-yard box.

On 14 minutes, Luke Varney had a terrific chance to score after he had cleverly pinched possession from Danny Livesey before playing an intelligent one-two with Lowe. Varney raced clear but was denied by Carlisle keeper Anthony Williams. Whatever Williams achieved at our end, Kieren Westwood was producing at the other.

Four minutes later and neither Maynard nor Lowe could quite acquire enough room to get a shot off after making inroads into the Carlisle penalty area. It was something of a stuttering start from the Railwaymen and we also lost Julien Baudet through injury on 22 minutes. The Frenchman tweaked a muscle clearing the ball upfield and Darren Moss replaced him. Billy Jones moved across into the middle to keep a watchful eye on Hawley.

Lumsdon was enjoying himself on his return to the Alexandra Stadium and was allowed to test the busy Williams after being granted the freedom of Crewe. He was allowed to run unopposed for 50 yards before forcing another save from the acrobatic Williams.

The visitors were certainly on top at that stage and it was no real surprise when they took the lead on 24 minutes. Gary Roberts was a little unlucky in his pursuit of Simon Hackney down the touchline, but the plucky winger did exceptionally well to deliver a low cross. Crewe failed to clear the initial danger and Hawley spun on the loose ball to bury it in the bottom corner.

After conceding early, it was now a major test of Crewe's character especially after successive defeats at Yeovil and Swansea City. At times we huffed and puffed but never really tested Westwood again until the closing stages of the first half.

Billy Jones got more shoulder than head onto a wicked free-kick from Vaughan before Lowe tested his range with a superb curling shot, which struck the post from some 25 yards. It was a tremendous effort and provided the catalyst for an amazing comeback.

On 41 minutes, a fantastic probing run from Michael O'Connor saw the young Irishman reach the bye-line and drill over a cross for Luke Varney to fire home from close range. It was just the tonic we needed and things got considerably better three minutes later.

Our second goal was almost identical to the first. This time is was the goal scorer Varney turning creator for his striking sidekick. His pace took him deep into Carlisle territory and his low cross was gratefully turned home by Lowe on his return to the first-team. That was only the beginning of his and Crewe's memorable afternoon.

The second period kicked off with Carlisle United on the offensive. Another corner delivery from Lumsdon was headed against the bar by the towering full-back Zigor Aranalde. A few inches lower and it would certainly have given Williams something to think about.

In response, Varney forced a fine save from Westwood after a fine passing move involving David Vaughan and O'Connor.

Neil McDonald then elected to introduce Derek Holmes for Kevin Gall and they continued to press forward looking for an equaliser. Crewe had to stand firm for large periods, and Jones was excellent against danger man Hawley. When they did get in behind, they found Ben Williams in inspirational form again. He may have made a mistake at Yeovil, but boy has he made up for it with some excellent saves and performances.

Hackney got in behind Otsemobor on one occasion but fired high and wide from an acute angle before Lowe produced a moment of magic to extend our lead to 3-1. Billy Jones stepped out of defence on the left hand side, and produce a stunning pass, which found Lowe one-on-one with Livesey. As the ball sailed into his path, Lowe used his strength to hold off the intentions of the defender, before a deft touch set him up for a wonderful volley. Westwood had absolutely no chance.

To their credit, Carlisle continued to play their football and they had their chances too. Gary Roberts, who has boundless energy, was in the right place at the right time to smuggle a shot from Holmes off the line and then Aranalde dragged the follow up shot wide.

At the other end, Lowe seemed to revelling his role back in the first-team and you could tell he was desperate to register his first hat-trick for the club. He had a couple of decent efforts blocked en route to the goal.

Another major turning point of the afternoon though was another breathtaking save from the in-from Williams. On 70 minutes, it looked as though Holmes was going to head Carlisle a real lifeline after he was left unguarded at the far post. Hawley's deep cross picked him superbly and he looked odds on to score, only for Williams to somehow claw it out of his top corner. That particular save was arguably the pick of the bunch of a fine collection.

Crewe took control in the closing stages with Maynard firing straight at Westwood after a couple of tricky step-over's before the killer fourth arrived in the 73^rd minute. O'Connor instigated the move once again with a probing run and pass through to Lowe. His fierce shot was only pushed up into the air by Westwood and there was Varney in support to nod home from close range. It was no more than the Alex deserved.

Williams was kept on his toes when rushing out to deny the lively Hawley - a clash that seemed to injure the Carlisle striker. He made way for Neale McDermott.

We were so much in control that even Otsemobor was trying to get in on the act but his attempted curler from some 30 yards out was never troubling Westwood. Dario then replaced O'Connor, who seemed to be struggling with blisters, with Ben Rix. Soon after we also lost Nicky Maynard, who was victim of an awfully high challenge from Peter Murphy. The Carlisle defender was cautioned for the offence and Maynard was unable to continue. Luke Rodgers came on for the closing minutes and was rather unlucky not to score with a late effort.

Crewe retained possession and Lowe dragged a shot wide late on following a one-two with Varney. It looked as though his hat-trick goal wasn't going to arrive. Then in the final minute, Varney was felled by Paul Thirwell and up stepped Lowe to hit home from 25-yards. It may have taken a slight deflection but there was no way whatsoever that he wasn't going to claim it.