Alex boss Gudjon Thordarson had stated all week that Leicester City were the 'finest team in League One by miles' and so it proved this afternoon as they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners to finish of their title winning season.

Crewe who were outclassed for much of the game, especially in the second half, were condemned to relegation after Lloyd Dyer had fired the Foxes into a 2-0 lead after 66 minutes. It was all over then and results from elsewhere mattered not. With both Brighton and Carlisle both winning, Crewe were down regardless of how this match finished and in truth after the prolific Matty Fryatt had raced cleared to score a third goal, the majority of the crowd wanted the referee to blow early to put us out of our misery.

Not that you would have known than Crewe Alexandra were sinking back into the bottom tier of the Football League for the first time in 15 years, because our fans continued to support their side to the death. They were excellent. The apt tune 'always look on the bright side of life' was bellowed out and the appreciation for Leicester's triumphant season was brilliantly received by both sets of supporters. They were again a credit to the club.

For the final match of the season, Thordarson was forced into a change in his back five with his captain Julien Baudet missing what would have been his final appearance for the club after failing to shake off a thigh strain. Baudet is to embark on a new American adventure with Colorado Rapids at the end of the month. With John Ruddy's loan move from Everton ending last week against Stockport County, our former number one Steve Collis was recalled to the starting line-up for the first time since our FA Cup replay against Millwall back in early January.

Danny Woodards also failed in his attempt to finish the season after he suffered a hamstring injury in the build up to our final away game at Stockport County. James Bailey deputised once again in the centre of midfield, like he had told previously at Edgeley Park.

With Clayton Donaldson also unfit the third front position went to youngster Scott McManus instead of Joel Grant and Byron Moore. Anthony Elding and Shaun Miller also kept their places following the narrow defeat at Stockport, with Tom Pope and Calvin Zola named on the substitutes bench.

In a match Crewe Alexandra had to win as you would expect, the home side started positively and enjoyed some good early possession against the League One champions. It was a super atmosphere inside the Alexandra Stadium and it was Billy Jones' drawing the first save of the afternoon but his direct free-kick was straight at the Leicester goalkeeper David Stockdale.

After just 7 minutes it was evident that Nigel Pearson was taking the final game of the season completely seriously when he angrily threw down his water bottle after his captain Matt Oakley had made a complete mess of a free-kick routine!

His annoyance prompted the Foxes into action and full-back Michael Morrison drew the first save of the afternoon from the recalled Collis. The Alex keeper pushed his shot from 25 yards into the six-yard box and the on hand Danny O'Donnell completed the necessary clearance.

From a throw-in, Shaun Miller produced a moment of pure skill and imagination but after doing the hard work he fluffed his shot in front of Stockdale. From the resulting corner though, Broomes had an effort cleared from the line after the ball had dropped invitingly into his path after Dennis Lawrence and Anthony Elding had challenged at the far post. It was a promising start from the Railwaymen in the Cheshire sunshine.

Bailey tried to catch Stockdale out with an ambitious shot from 45 yards out. It just cleared the Leicester keeper's crossbar, but in fairness the keeper had it covered and didn't look anxious as the ball sailed over.

Collis was also being kept busy at the other end. He denied the Leicester pair of Matty Fryatt and Steve Howard after having to rush from his goal line. From another corner, Howard headed into the side netting. He did the same just minutes later too after towering over O'Donnell at the far post.

Leicester slowly but surely began to control the possession and Fryatt forced another decent save from the Crewe Alexandra goalkeeper. Again he couldn't hold the shot and Broomes had to clear the danger into touch.

As the visitors began to enjoy being on the ball, Lloyd Dyer fired wildly into the Crewe crowd behind Collis' goal after he pinched possession from Brayford close to the half-way line.

Just before the half an hour mark, Crewe also had to survive a decent penalty shout after Lawrence appeared to have barged the dangerous Howard over inside the box. The club's on loan defender from Swansea City survived but you have certainly seen those type of over physical challenges being penalised.

After shaking off a back strain, Howard then had the best two changes of the first half. He wastefully fired over after leaning too far back just outside the 6-yard box. The vastly experienced forward then shot just wide of Collis' right hand post after being granted far too much space some 30 yards from our goal. It whistled just past the post and many of the travelling Leicester contingent thought it was in.

The half ended goalless and the Alex fans quickly tried to discover results from elsewhere. With Carlisle winning 1-0 at home to Millwall and Brighton goalless with Stockport County, it remained a very long shot.

Howard carried on where we left off by forcing Collis into an early save before a lively Gylfi Sigurdsson shot wide twice of Stockdale's post.

Six minutes into the second half, Bailey went awfully close to giving Crewe the lead when his shot thumped the Leicester City crossbar. It was so unlucky from the Alex midfielder, who is still looking for his first senior goal for the club. As the play continued, Elding volleyed home in the net but his goal was chalked off for offside. It should have given Crewe a platform to go and possibly score the opening goal but Leicester stepped up a gear to take complete control.

On 56 minutes, midfielder Bruno Berner caught out Collis from around 30 yards and it knocked the stuffing out the home side. The Alex keeper may have been unsighted but it still looked liked an unavoidable goal to concede on such an important afternoon.

The opening goal of the game prompted changes from both sides. Leicester brought on Maxi Gradel for Morrison whilst Moore replaced McManus for Crewe.

Leicester were beginning to enjoy their afternoon with a large, noisy away following behind them. Oakley controlled the midfield and in Howard, Fryatt and Dyer they were a constant threat going forward. Fryatt curled a shot just wide of the mark before the second goal duly arrived on 66 minutes.

Sigurdsson allowed a simple pass to slip under his foot and Dyer punished us accordingly. He ran at the heart of the Alex defence, received a lucky deflection off of the foot of O'Donnell before readjusting his footing and lifting a shot beyond a helpless Collis. That was the killer second goal that meant Crewe were facing League Two football next season.

They made it 3-0 and good night just two minutes later. Again Crewe were caught in possession too close to our own goal and Fryatt raced in to slip home his 32^nd goal of unforgettable season for him. It was rather fitting that the striker scored Leicester's final goal of the campaign.

With the match quickly becoming a non-contest, the substitutes continued to flow. Bailey made way for Luke Murphy. Leicester brought on the Hungarian Astrit Ajdarevic for Andy King.

The lively Dyer also made way for Nicky Adams. As the game faded away, genuine chances became few and far between. Leicester were in total control and everyone was wanting the final whistle. Leicester to continue their title celebrations and Crewe to prepare for life in League Two.