Report by Paul Smith

BURY 1 CREWE ALEX 2

THE Alex made it through to the second round after coming back from a goal down and refusing to buckle under pressure as Bury searched for the eqaliser.

Efe Sodje gave an indication that he wasn't going to have the best of games when he brought down Bury striker Baichung Bhutia and Darren Bullock lost no time in stepping up to convert the spot kick past Jason Kearton.

Bury, with their tails up having managed to make the breakthrough so early, continued to look dangerous but the Alex levelled the scores on 13 minutes through Rivers.

He headed home after good work on the right flank by Kevin Street set up the chance.

The goal came against the run of play but it steadied Crewe and although Bury had the lion's share of possession and their strike force of Bhutia and Littlejohn continued to look menacing the Alex defence held firm for the rest of the first half.

After the interval Crewe managed to take the lead on 49 minutes when Kenny Lunt's superb long pass found Neil Sorvel and he played in the hard working Colin Little to make the vital breakthrough.

Predictably as the half progressed Bury threw everything at the Alex rearguard.

Bhutia was unlucky to see his excellent strike whistle agonisingly past the post after he skinned Steve Macauley and his shot had Kearton well beaten.

The Alex looked to have weathered the storm with 15 minutes to go and came back into it when Rivers crossed to Little only for him to shoot straight at Bury keeper, Kenny.

The Crewe strike force combined again with Rivers this time setting up a header for Little but again Kenny proved equal to the task.

With both teams tiring towards the end the Alex defence, marshalled by Macauley, managed to hold firm avoiding any last minute dramas and steering Crewe safely into the second round.