York City conjured up a remarkable late comeback at the KitKat Crescent to progress to the second round of the FA Cup at the expense of Crewe Alexandra. The Railwaymen looked well in command when going in 2-1 at the interval thanks to well-taken goals from Joel Grant and Calvin Zola but that would all change as York upped the tempo and their performance in the second half.

Crewe did have enough chances to kill the cup-tie off but again didn't take them and a spirited York City side put the visitors under an immense amount of pressure second half. That told in the end, with substitute Richard Pacquette and the outstanding Richard Brodie scoring late goals to dump the Alex out of the FA Cup at the first hurdle.

With midfielder Steven Schumacher (hamstring) and Shaun Miller (illness) ruled out for the trip to the Kitkat Crescent Stadium, Dario Gradi was forced into a couple of chances with the on-loan Simon Walton returning to the starting line-up for the first time since a 5-3 defeat at Accrington Stanley. Bryon Moore, who has been in impressive form for the reserves of late came in for Miller alongside leading scorer Calvin Zola.

Gradi also gave a debut to new loan signing Steve Phillips. The on loan Bristol Rovers goalkeeper was given the nod ahead of Adam Legzdins, who was unfortunate to drop back down to the bench after keeping a clean-sheet in the 4-0 win over Cheltenham Town last weekend.

Crewe actually made a slow start to the game and were finding it difficult to clear their lines into the York City half. The visitors had an early scare after just four minutes when Brodie nearly escaped the clutches of last man Patrick Ada, but the York striker was penalised for a tug on the Crewe defender rather than the other way round.

Just sixty seconds later and Crewe conjured up a really good opportunity for Zola. A fine passing move involving James Bailey and Danny Shelley saw Moore back heal possession into the path of Zola but he blasted his shot over the bar from around six yards out. The club's leading marksman should have at least hit the target.

The Blue Square Conference side were vibrant going forward without really troubling debutant Phillips. Ashley Westwood did exceptionally well to prevent a cross reaching winger Adam Smith and Mitchel-King did likewise just moments later to prevent Michael Rankine from having a free shot at Phillips.

Crewe were always a threat with the pace of Grant and Moore going forward. On 14 minutes, Zola hit the target after being played in by Danny Shelley - but his low shot was saved by the York keeper Michael Ingham.

The visitors were beginning to impose themselves on the game and following another probing run by Moore, Grant had a curling corner deflected behind for a corner. From the resulting corner, Zola flicked a header just wide of the far post.

Some sections of the home support genuinely thought they had won a penalty when Rankine went down under a challenge by Mat Mitchel-King but the referee and his assistant were well-placed to make the correct decision - a goal kick to Crewe.

Martin Foyle's side did cause mayhem inside the Crewe penalty area following a corner from Chris Carruthers. Both David Parslow and Brodie snatched at their chances and the busy Mitchel-King was able to scramble it away from danger. The melee raised the noise of the crowd behind Phillips' goal and almost instantly Brodie headed another cross wide of the mark.

It was Crewe making the decisive breakthrough on 33 minutes though after another well worked move gave Grant the necessary room to drive a shot into the top corner of the York net. Shelley and Moore did well in the build-up, in creating the necessary room for Grant to score his fourth goal of the season.

York were finding it difficult to contain the former Aldershot winger and after another superb run from his own half he dragged his shot just wide of Ingham's left hand post.

Just when you thought Crewe would cruise into the half time break with a 1-0 lead, the hardworking Brodie produced a stunning header to beat Phillips. Winger Adam Smith was the provider with an excellent cross and Brodie's header was perfectly placed into the top corner.

To their credit thought, Crewe hit back just two minutes later. Another moment of magic from Grant saw him pick out the towering Zola at the far post and the Congolese striker directed his away from the helpless Ingham to see the Railwaymen go into the interval 2-1 ahead.

Crewe came out for the second half in the hunt for a killer third goal. After Zola had directed an early header into the hands of Ingham, Simon Walton then drilled a shot just wide of the post after being found on the edge of the box by Grant.

It was certainly Crewe on the front foot in the early exchanges of the second period with Moore then having a goalbound effort deflected behind for a corner some neat interchanging passing involving Walton and Zola.

Mitchel-King tried to join in the act too but his near post header just lacked the accuracy to trouble the York keeper after the advanced Westwood had clipped a cross into a crowded penalty area.

After surviving that early pressure, the home side began to get themselves back into the game. The alert Phillips did well to rush from his goal to deal with Brodie and Mitchel-King was back in defensive mode to deny Rankine from close range. It was a superb sliding tackle from the Alex skipper infront of the away contingent at that end of the stadium.

Just before the hour mark, York thought they had found an equaliser after Phillips could only palm out a wicked shot from Alex Lawless. As the ball broke loose into the six-yard box, Rankine converted the rebound but was correctly flagged offside from the initial shot.

Crewe were not completely void of attacks as York began to push forward a lot more trying to force an equaliser and a possible replay back at Gresty Road. Danny Shelley clipped a shot over the bar after another willing run from Moore.

Zola had a chance to seal the cup-tie after a quick free-kick from Wlaton had released Grant down the left flank. His low cross was looped into the air but Zola could only direct his header wide. Moments later, Grant had another shot blocked.

On 67 minutes, the lively Brodie shot over the bar after another physical tussle with his marker Ada.

York were certainly not giving up hope and began to force a succession of corners and free-kicks. On the whole, Crewe were dealing with those high balls going into the box and Phillips punched many more away from danger.

Foyle introduced some fresh legs with Craig Nelthorpe and Richard Pacquette replacing full-back James Meredith and Chris Carruthers. York continued to pin Crewe back into their own half and the corners continued to arrive on a regular basis.

The Crewe rearguard lasted until the 85^th minute when York finally made one of their corners pay off. The cross evaded everyone to drop to substitute Pacquette and his low drive took a slight deflection on the way in. It was no more than they deserved for their pressure.

Just a minute later, Crewe found themselves behind after a wonderful solo goal from the excellent Brodie. He showed real power and purpose drift past a number of Crewe defenders to make it into the Crewe box and then had the composure to fire past a helpless Phillips. From being 2-1 up at the break, Crewe now found themselves behind with just over five minutes remaining.

Crewe made three instant changes with Donaldson, Murphy and Clements for Zola, Grant and Bailey. Crewe huffed and puffed in the closing stages but couldn't conjure up another chance to force a replay back in South Cheshire.

York saw out the remaining minutes and progress into Round Two after what was a real spirited comeback.