Crewe Alexandra's inability to convert chances proved to be our undoing once again as Aldershot ran out 2-1 winners at the Alexandra Stadium. Crewe were guilty of missing a gluttony of opportunities as the frustration began to build inside Gresty Road thanks to a goal in each half from Scott Donnelly and a well-taken winner from Kirk Hudson. You have to take your chances when you are top and we failed to do it big time.

It had started so well for Crewe with Shaun Miller giving us the lead after 16 minutes after he had found superbly by Joel Grant. Crewe looked like good for a handsome victory, but we failed to kill off Gary Waddock's side. They held in there, rode their luck at times and departed with all three points in the bag.

Crewe Alexandra manager Gudjon Thordarson made three changes to the side that lost 2-0 to Shrewsbury Town last weekend. Out of the starting X1 went central midfielders Steven Schumacher and Aman Verma.

Winger Byron Moore also lost his place as Thordarson handed youngster Ashley Westwood his full debut after some recent good form for the reserves. Shaun Miller, who has scored three goals in his last four reserve games was also handed his first start of the season for the visit of Aldershot. Anthony Elding was also recalled to the starting line-up for his 4^th start of the campaign.

Crewe Alexandra made a superb start to the game with captain Billy Jones providing some real quality from his left-back spot. He provided an early cross that Shaun Miller volleyed just wide and then Anthony Elding just failed to reach another tempting cross from Jones that had been flicked on by Calvin Zola.

The former Crewe defender Anthony Charles was cautioned for bringing down a lively Miller after just five minutes, before Elding forced the Aldershot goalkeeper Mikhael Jamiez-Ruiz into another save after getting a firm header on target.

Crewe's early dominance continued with the former Aldershot man Joel Grant dragging a shot just side after a forceful run at his former team-mate David Winfield.

With Crewe on top, it wasn't a great surprise when the home side took the lead on 16 minutes. Grant was the provider, releasing a superb through ball to divide the Aldershot back four and Miller raced through to score his first of the season. The local lad kept his composure to side foot past Jaimez-Ruiz. The opening goal was more than Crewe deserved for their efforts.

Elding was on the look-out for his first goal of the season and he was rather unlucky not to hit the target with an acrobatic effort after John Brayford had provided the cross, this time from the right hand side.

In truth, Aldershot were not offering too much of a threat but on 27 minutes, Crewe had to rely on Brayford in a defensive capacity to prevent Kirk Hudson from registering a first shot on target. Aldershot had broken quickly after a stay pass forward by Simon Walton but after Scott Donnelly had slipped Hudson in, the Alex right-back did exceeding well to get across and make a block tackle.

Crewe were still pressing forward and debutant Westwood showed some neat skill on the half an hour mark to release Brayford in an advanced position. His accurate delivery into the Aldershot box was headed wide by target man Zola - it was a trend that would continue.

Aldershot's first real effort on David Button's goal resulted in their equaliser. To say it came against the run of play was an understatement. Harry Worley was penalised for a mistimed tackle on Donnelly and the midfielder picked himself up to fire home to level things up. His effort from 30 yards out took a slight deflection off of the Crewe wall to leave Button with no chance.

Following that set-back, the Railwaymen responded well to finish the first half positively. There is no doubt we should have gone in at the interval ahead but again that killer instinct was missing. Zola was guilty of failing to get a couple of headers on target and he wasted a golden chance when he lifted another shot over the bar after both Elding and Miller had forced the Aldershot keeper to stray from his line. The goal was open but Zola couldn't keep it down. He should have done.

Another fine ball from the emerging Westwood found Miller but Elding couldn't quite get a significant touch to his low cross. How Crewe didn't go in at the break is anyone's guess because with just seconds left of the first period, Joel Grant went on a mazy dribble, which deserved a goal. He avoided two tackles before placing his shot into the top corner, only for Chris Blackburn to get a decisive touch to it to send it over the bar. It was some clearance.

After the numerous chances created in the first 45 minutes, the second half began at a slower pace with neither side really creating a meaningful effort on goal for the first 15 minutes.

The first real opportunity saw Miller have a snap shot blocked after Zola had made a nuisance of himself at a long throw from Brayford.

At the other end, the impressive Dean Parrett, who signed recently on loan from Spurs also had a shot blocked by Patrick Ada on the edge of the penalty area.

On 63 minutes, some fine combination play involving Miller and Grant resulted in Miller seeing his curling shot just clear the far post as Crewe looked to retake the lead.

It was Aldershot who went ahead though with Kirk Hudson blasting his effort past Button. It clipped the underside of the bar to give the Alex keeper absolutely no chance with it and now Crewe had to come from behind.

In an attempt to spice up his attack, Thordarson introduced Moore for Westwood. The Crewe born youngster had performed admirably on his full debut and wasn't particularly taken off because of his performance. Moore offered more of a goal threat with Crewe chasing the game.

Moments later, Zola robbed possession close to the by-line but his shot was pushed away by Jamiez-Ruiz. Perhaps a pull back for Miller would have been the better option. Miller should have got his side foot volley on target following a deep cross from Moore before Luke Murphy was introduced for Elding.

The Alager born youngster though was so unlucky to see a brave header cleared from the line by the superbly placed Blackburn. He did well to cover his goalkeeper and apply his own head to it. It was going to be one of those days again..

Still Crewe pressed looking for the goal that their effort did deserve but Zola had one of those afternoon's today. The club's leading scorer this season should have been more decisive following a long ball from Worley and on two other occasions he failed to keep his footing inside the box with the goal at his mercy. He was even booked for what the referee thought was a dive.

To his credit thought the big striker kept himself going and kept getting in there. Our luck was out though with Miller seeing a late effort hit the legs of the Aldershot keeper and Zola having another shot blocked by what looked to be a stray hand from Charles.

Crewe couldn't find that breakthrough though and have now suffered two home defeats by a 2-1 scoreline.