- Lunt and Jatta see red at Mornflake Stadium
- Colkett returns to competitive action
- Third straight defeat for youthful side
Crewe Alexandra slipped to a 2-0 defeat to Hull City in the Professional Development League.
Owen Lunt and Muhamed Jatta were sent off for picking up two bookings apiece in a competitive encounter at Mornflake Stadium.
Midfielder Charlie Colkett got his first run-out since picking up a hamstring injury in pre-season, while Matus Holicek, Tom Booth, Lewis Billington and Charlie Finney were in action.
It was a third straight defeat for the youthful Crewe side who fell behind in the 10th minute.
Calum Agius had gone close to breaking the deadlock but Alfie Taylor headed home from a corner to give the visitors the lead.
Booth touched a Vaughn Covil effort onto the post as Hull bossed possession and looked for a second.
The game changed just before the break when forward Jatta was shown a second yellow card after colliding with the keeper.
Jim Simms doubled Hull’s lead early in the second half after meeting a great cross from Covil.
Lunt and Jordan Hodkin combined nicely to tee up Finney who blazed over as the Alex searched for a way back.
But their hopes were extinguished on 79 minutes when Lunt was shown a second yellow card after catching Jevon Mills.
Booth denied Hull a third with a great save from Bora Aydlinik but the Tigers were able to use their numerical advantage to see the game out comfortably.
Mike Jackson’s team will now turn their attention to a trip to Fleetwood Town’s Poolfoot Farm next week.