A makeshift Crewe Alexandra Under 23's almost picked up an impressive point at Leeds United on Friday, but fell 1-0 to a late Alejandro Machucha strike.

With the game being played on a Friday, at the same time as the first team squad travelled down to Yeovil, Alex Morris was forced to pick a young side for the trip to Thorp Arch, consisting largely of players from Lee Bell's Under 18 side.

The young group applied themselves well, Goalkeeper Will Appleyard making a good save before the break from Oriol Rey & to keep Leeds out.

Owen Dale had a great chance to put Crewe ahead just after half-time, but he headed over before Alex Hurst forced Leeds keeper Will Huffer into a good save.

As the game wore on, the hosts pushed for the vital goal & missed chances through Madger Gomes & Jack McKay.

But the breakthrough came on 84 minutes, sub Jack Clarke making a run down the flank & squared for Machucha who couldn't miss from six-yards.

Crewe: Appleyard, Sass-Davies, Offord, Harrison, T.Johnson, Lynch, Lundstram, Hurst, Dale, Walsh (Thompson), Griffiths