Dario Gradi and Neil Baker have been left with plenty to ponder after a young reserve side produced a good performance, in difficult blustery conditions, to secure a 2-1 victory over Port Vale in this afternoon's friendly encounter.

Perhaps the biggest question however will be over trialist Ryan Lowe, who impressed in his first outing in the red shirt and scored the winner after an Adie Moses own goal had cancelled out Michael Higdon's opener.

Lowe, who is hoping to win a permanent deal at Gresty Road having left Chester City earlier in the season, played on the right of a four man midfield, and provided plenty of good ammunition to front men Nicky Maynard and Higdon, who was unfortunate not to end up with a hat-trick, which he was only denied by the goalkeeping heroics of Vale's Jonny Brain.

After a tight first half, in which neither side really dominated, the Alex were handed the perfect opportunity to take the lead when Lowe was uncerimoniously scythed down in the penalty area.

Higdon stepped up to take the responsibility, and seemed like he'd placed his spot-kick perfectly, only for Brain to make a superb fingertip save to push the ball onto the upright and away to safety.

The Alex front man quickly made amends after the break however as he gave the Alex the lead with a thunderous header from Rob Lloyd's cross, which left Brain with no chance.

The lead din't last for long however, as the unfotunate Moses headed past Stuart Tomlinson to make it 1-1, within two minutes of HIgdon's strike.

But just five minutes later the Alex led once more as Lowe looked to take full opportunity of his showcase in front of the Alex management team, by making it 2-1.

The former Shrewsbury Town man was initially denied by Brain, who blocked his right footed short, but the Chester based player reacted superbly to tuck the ball home at the second attempt with his left foot.

Higdon was once again denied by Brain as the game came to a close, this time Vale's keeper pushing a fierce shot onto the crossbar, but the game proved to be a good work out for the Alex's second string.

Port Vale: Jonny Brain, Kieran Haughton, Luke Prosser, Steve Rowland, Josh O'Grady, Francis Smith, Mark Soboljew, Christian Smith, Ashley Carter, Louis Briscoe, Hector Sam

Crewe: Stuart Tomlinson; Paul Bignot, Adie Moses, Chris McCready, Lewis Callaghan; Ryan Lowe, Cavell Coo, Michael O'Connor, Robert Lloyd; Michael Higdon, Nicky Maynard Subs: Tom Pope, Kyle Wilson, Pavol Suhaj