Crewe Alexandra kept up their 100% pre-season record with an impressive 4-1 win at Salford City this evening.

First-half goals from Oliver Finney and Chris Porter put Dave Artell’s side in control but a close range finish from veteran forward Ian Henderson gave the home side hope.

But Crewe regained control after the break and a Daniel Powell goal restored their two-goal advantage before substitute Mikael Mandron opened his Crewe account in the closing stages of the game.

The Alex had started the game well with Charlie Kirk coming close with a back post header after good early work from Powell down the right.

But on 14 minutes they got the opener that their bright start to the game deserved. Once again it was Powell causing problems down the right with his cross eventually falling for Finney who made no mistake from close range.

Crewe were playing some excellent stuff and four minutes later Porter came close after more dangerous wing play.

But it didn’t take the Railwaymen long to double their lead and this time Porter made no mistake. It was a superb team move with Ainley threading a nice ball through to the Alex number 9 who fired across the keeper into the Salford goal to make it 2-0.

To their credit Salford responded well from the second Crewe goal and former Rochdale forward Henderson grabbed a goal back after a cross from Tom Clarke.

Whilst Salford changed their entire XI at the break, the Alex kept the same team at the break and minutes after the restart Kirk was denied a delightful lob by the cross bar.

But on 56 minutes it was 3-1 as Kirk found Powell at the back post after another excellent team move. Powell fired home and Crewe had restored their two-goal lead.

Boss Dave Artell made 11 changes at the hour mark and despite an Ashley Hunter free-kick hitting the post for Salford the Alex still looked in control.

New signing Offrande Zanzala found substitute Travis Johnson down the right who smashed a powerful effort against the woodwork before Mandron did make it 4-1.

Once again it was an impressive team move with Owen Dale finding a Mandron with a lovely through ball. The summer signing from Gillingham wasted no time in taking his shot which beat the Salford keeper to give Crewe a three goal lead.

That was the last real action of the game on what was a successful night for the Alex who also managed to give Tom Lowery his first 30 minutes of pre-season following a spell out with injury.

Crewe 0-60 Minutes

Jaaskelainen, Ng, Lancashire, Offord, Woodthorpe, Wintle, Ainley, Finney, Powell, Porter Kirk.

Crewe 60-90 Minutes

Richards, Johnson, Sass-Davies, Nolan, Adebisi, Lundstrum, Lowery, Griffiths, Zanzala, Mandron, Dale