• The Railwaymen exit FA Cup at Oakwell
• Two quick second-half goals seal fate
• Crewe concede for first time in seven hours

Crewe Alexandra bowed out of the FA Cup for another year after slipping to a 3-0 defeat at Barnsley.

Devante Cole’s first-half strike was followed by second-half efforts from Adam Phillips and Josh Benson, which put paid to hopes of reaching the third round.

The Railwaymen went closest through strikes from Dan Agyei and Lachlan Brook, but could not find a way back into the game.

Now interim manager Lee Bell will lead preparations for Friday’s visit of Newport County in League Two on Friday.

Bell made two changes to the side which won at Swindon last time out, recalling Zac Williams and Rod McDonald to the starting line-up.

Joel Tabiner and Lachlan Brook dropped to the bench, as Crewe switched to a 5-3-2 formation.

Barnsley, who knocked Bolton out of the cup in the first round, named a full-strength side.

The Alex, who earned a place in round two courtesy of a 1-0 victory over Leyton Orient, survived an early scare when Mads Anderson headed over from a corner.

The hosts bossed possession but, on 15 minutes, Crewe hit them on the counter and Agyei was poised to tap in an Eli King cross before Anderson intervened.

Arthur Okonkwo tipped a Phillips drive over the bar, while on 27 minutes King intercepted and set Agyei racing away, and the forward drove his shot into the side netting.

Barnsley hit the front on the half-hour mark when Crewe failed to deal with a corner and Cole was allowed to poke home from close range. It was the first goal the Alex have conceded in seven hours of football.

Liam Kitching’s 25-yarder forced a save from Okonkwo early in the second half, but on 50 minutes it was 2-0 when Phillips found space to take a touch in the area before firing high into the net.

On 56 minutes Barnsley added another goal from the penalty spot, confidently dispatched by Benson after Luca Connell was tripped in the box by King.

Tariq Uwakwe’s side-footed effort was well saved by keeper Jack Walton as The Railwaymen tried to hit back.

Sub Fabio Jala curled one over the bar as Barnsley continued to press, while at the other end Agyei’s powerful free-kick was well held by Walton.

Sub Brook was next to test the custodian from range, and Walton gathered at the second attempt as the game entered its final 10 minutes.

There was no late drama as Barnsley saw the remainder of the game out comfortably.

Barnsley (3-5-2): Walton; Edwards, Anderson (Cundy 60), Kitching; Benson, Phillips (Chapman 86), Kane, Connell, Cadden (Larkeche 71); Cole (Martin 71), Norwood (Jalo 61).

Subs not used: Collins, Moon, Aitchison, Nejman.

Booked: Anderson

Crewe (3-5-2): Okonkwo; Williams, Sass-Davies, Offord, McDonald, Mellor (Adebisi 77); Thomas, Uwakwe (Brook 73), King (Colkett 85); Agyei; Sambou (Tabiner 85).

Subs not used: Richards, Griffiths, O Finney, Leshabela, C Finney.

Booked: Sambou

Referee: Tom Reeves.

Attendance: 3,967