Read all about Crewe's lack of luck in the JPT

Crewe were determined not to give up their crown without a fight and worked the ball in good areas before being denied time and again thanks to a mixture of bad luck, lack of composure at the vital time or an inspired goalkeeper.

 The holders showed some terrific pass-and-move football which belied their miserable run of results in League One for most of the first half.

Assistant manager Neil Baker said: "We have had quite a bit to say to the lads in the changing room. But we have not hammered them, they've had enough of that both on and off the pitch. They need some help so that's what we are trying to give them.

"We are not being over-run for great periods, in fact we are in control of games and creating chances without scoring.

"Sometimes it's bad technique, sometimes bad luck, sometimes great saves, but that'll turn around. The ratio is ridiculous, at one end everything is going in and at the other end nothing is.

"Have we deserved to lose 4-0 in both the last two games? No, but we have."

       -The Sentinel

 

Jon Parkin could have put Fleetwood ahead in the second minute, a weak backpass leaving him one-on-one with Steve Phillips, the Crewe keeper with a vital save.

The visitors dominated possession but created little and Fleetwood grabbed the lead six minutes before the break.

A quick counter attack, Liam Hogan flicking it through for David Ball, an emphatic finish from the edge of the box.

And Town doubled their lead before the break, Gareth Evans with a cross from the left, Parkin with a deflected header at the back post.

Nathan Pond made it three with a cool finish just after the interval before Crewe launched a belated assault - Scott Davies with some superb saves to keep the League One side at bay.

who added to their tally, Matty Blair sliding in to convert Stewart Murdoch’s cross a minute from time to seal victory.FleetwoodBut it was

Fleetwood go into the third round for the first time in their history along with Chesterfield, Carlisle, Oldham, Rochdale, Hartlepool, Notts County and Rotherham.

       -Blackpool Gazette

By Luke Jones, St. Thomas More School