Alex Morris' Under-23 side kick started their Professional Development season with three points in a nine goal thriller at The Trillion Trophy Centre.

Regan Griffiths and Offrande Zanzala both scored a brace in either half in their U23 opener, with Olly Lancashire claiming the winner for Crewe.

The Railwaymen found themselves trailing inside the opening two minutes of the game, but midfielder Regan Griffiths opened his account for the new season by equalising just four minutes later.

Crewe continued to grow into the game and found themselves taking the lead through Griffiths again who poked home his second of the afternoon.

Continuing his rehabilitation from injury, Tom Lowery completed his first 45 minutes of football unscathed and was replaced by Joe Robbins at the interval.

10 minutes into the second-half, the hosts were awarded a penalty spot as Travis Johnson appeared to shrug aside his man and the game was level again at 2-2.

Shifting into another gear, Griffiths turned from scorer to provider as he found Zanzala lerking at the back post who cushioned his header past Aaron Clayton.

Two minutes after the restart, Zanzala confirmed his brace after timing his run to perfection and latching onto a clever through ball from Griffiths before slotting it past the 'keeper.

With 12 minutes remaining on the clock, the Railwaymen were keen to add more misery to Birmingham's afternoon and did so, through a Lancashire bullet header.

The Blues were keen to reduce the deficit and clawed back to late goals, but it wasn't enough to prevent the Alex from leaving with those vital three points.

Crewe: Richards, Johnson, Lancashire, Sass-Davies, Woodthorpe, Lundstram, Griffiths, Lowery (Robbins 45') Ainley, Onyeka & Zanzala