Crewe: Jaaskelainen, Johnson, Sass-Davies, Lundstram (Fenton, 89), Offord, Griffiths, Lynch, Lowery (Adebisi, 79), Heath (Linton, 70), Nicholls, Dale

Goals: Nicholls (5), Heath (9,10)

A Connor Heath double fired Crewe Alexandra Under 23s to a 3-1 victory at Cardiff City in the U23 Professional Development League 2.

All three Alex goals were scored within the opening ten minutes of the game, with Alex Nicholls opening the scoring.

Nicholls pounced to put Alex Morris' side in front with just five minutes on the clock, lashing in from close range as Crewe came flying out of the blocks.

Heath then took over, scoring twice inside 60 seconds before the game-clock struck ten, first tapping home a rebound from close range.

He then picked up the ball almost immediately from the restart a thundered an untoppable strike home from outside the area.

Content with their 3-0 advantage, the Alex then set about professionally managing the remainder of the game, but Cardiff did pull a goal back from the penalty spot with 27 on the clock.

Heath almost got his hat-trick before half-time but for a fine save by the Bluebirds keeper & Tommy Lowery curled an effort just wide after the break.

Cardiff huffed & puffed after the break but Crewe defended resolutely & Cardiff frustrations boiled over with 15 minutes remaining, Laurence Wootton being sent off for a second bookable offence.

Siyabonga Ligendza forced Will Jaaskelainen into a fine save in the last minute to keep the two goal advantage intact as Crewe saw out the win & kept the play-off dream alive.

Click here to view all of the Under 23s fixtures & results.