Alex boss targets knockout stages but admits Chesterfield will be tough encounter tonight.

Steve Davis wants his Crewe Alexandra side to progress in what he describes as a ‘great competition to win’.

The Crewe boss guided the club to a memorable win at Wembley in 2013 and he would love to see us go close again. Crewe have to advance from the newly-formatted group stage first with a victory against Chesterfield this evening. With all four teams in the group on three points, the two teams who emerge victorious this evening will go through to the knockout stage.

If it is a draw tonight after 90 minutes then the game will be decided by a penalty shoot-out.

Steve told crewealex.net: “We want to progress in every competition we enter. We want to progress in the Checkatrade Trophy because it is a very good competition, as we know.

“Along with the FA Cup, we want to progress and we have three important home games coming up, with the league leaders Plymouth coming up and then the replay against Cheltenham.

“Financially it would be a big benefit but we want to go as far as we can. We had a fantastic day out at Wembley and it is even better when you can go on to win it.

“We know what a good competition it can be and we know what a run means for the club and the supporters.

He added: “It is still early days in the competition and we have a tough game against Chesterfield to make it through to the knockout stages. We know that Chesterfield will be a good side regardless of the players they play.

“They will be wanting to win games as well, and progress, so it should be a good game.”