Crewe...2 Cardiff...1

FA CUP MATCH REPORT

BY TOBY ROBINSON

IN-form Mark Rivers sealed Crewe's passage into the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with a cool finish to see off Cardiff at the Alexandra Stadium on Tuesday night.

The 25-year-old hitman latched onto a great through ball from full-debutant Dean Ashton and placed his one-on-one opportunity past keeper Walton on 79 minutes.

It was all the Alex deserved after looking electric at times against the Third Division Welshmen.

Certainly approaching the half-hour Crewe dished out a footballing lesson to the visitors and should of added to their one goal lead which came through Shaun Smith's penalty on 10 minutes after Jack had been felled by Brazier.

Man-of-the-match Jack constantly teased the Cardiff defence and a classy one-two with Rivo ended with the goal-scorer's cross-cum-shot travelling just too far for Ashton to bury on 22 minutes.

Seventeen-year-old Ashton was teed up by Jack for a cracking drive well denied by Walton before Gannon fired just over the bar five minutes later as Crewe threaten to run riot.

After failing to increase their lead, Cardiff came back at Crewe and capitalised on a four minute purple patch to level.

Banokle kept out Fortune West's free header and Bowen's looping effort but could do nothing to prevent Legg hammering home the resulting corner on 38 minutes.

Ugly scenes followed as the crazy supporters poured onto the pitch and discussions followed on wither the pitch was too icy to continue.

Crewe re-captured their early momentum after the interval and never looked back.

Their pressure delivered corner after corner and a lion share of the possession but the killer ball they desperately needed never seemed seem to arrive.

Cardiff rarely threatened and just couldn't contain Jack on the break and the St Vincent star unleashed a ferocious blockbuster which was deflected wide five minutes before Rivers found the welcome finish.

It could have been more before full-time as Sorvel shot inches wide and Jack unselfishly set up Lunt for a close range shot that Walton barely managed to keep out.

Crewe march on to meet Stockport at home in the fourth round but focus on welcoming Forest in the league, this Saturday.

Crewe: Bankole, Foster, Sodje, Macauley, Smith, Sorvel Gannon, Lunt, Jack, Ashton, Rivers. Subs not used: Ince, Little, Cramb, Tait, Walton. Attendance-5,785.