Crewe Alexandra Under 18's crashed out of the FA Youth Cup at the third round stage after a 2-0 defeat to Colchester United in Essex.

Ollie Sims & Noah Chilvers goals either side of half time proved enough for the hosts, who play in category two of the academy system - the same level as Crewe.

Oli Harrison had a chance for Crewe early on, but Rob Howard & Callum Jones both saw efforts drop just wide for Colchester around the half hour mark as the home side began to build some pressure.

Sims curled a beauty into the top corner on the 38 minute mark to gain the lead, but the Alex fought back in the second half in search of an equaliser.

Regan Griffiths forced home goalkeeper Harry Seaden into a smart stop just after the break, before substitute Challis Johnson had a goal disallowed for offside when he turned home a loose ball after an initial shot came back off the post.

Crewe pushed men forward inside the final ten minutes in desperate search of a leveller, but Colchester sprung away on the counter-attack with five minutes remaining for Chilvers to coolly slot home to make the game safe at 2-0.

The U's have set up a home tie with MK Dons in round four after they beat Cardiff City.

Crewe: Booth, T.Johnson (C.Johnson), Harrison, Sass-Davies, Adebisi, Offord, Lynch (c), Griffiths, Hurst, Walsh, Nunn