MATCH REPORT BY TOBY ROBINSON

TWO late goals spared Crewe's blushes in the Worthington Cup clash with Second Division Bury.

To be fair, and no pun intended, the Alex looked dead and buried and on course for their third blank of the season with five minutes left.

It was the home side who started brightly at the Alexandra Stadium as Shakers' keeper Kenny was under pressure from the whistle, rushing out to clear any danger from the chasing pack of John Grant and Rodney Jack.

Kenny had to repeat his actions several times to deal with Crewe's constant attacks as Sorvel's shot was charged down and a clash with Grant prevented a one-on-one leaving the rebound for Jack to chip just wide after 12 minutes.

The Alex had all the possession but failed to carve Bury open with only Rivers going close with a header after 26 minutes and Jack's wicked cross-cum-shot plucked out of the air by Kenny three minutes later.

Bury began to edge the later stages of the half with Daws heading their best opportunity wide with five minutes remaining but John Grant could have given Crewe an advantage just before the break as he brought down Sorvel's through ball on the right of the box and screwed his shot a fraction past the far post.

The visitors looked much more at ease in the second half and as Crewe's frustration with a lack of penetration grew, Bury took the lead on the hour mark as Darren Bullock rifled a 25 yard drive into the bottom corner.

It was almost two six minutes later that Macauley's headed clearance attempt forced Kearton to reel back and just tip over the bar.

With Crewe's play around the box poor, the crowd got what they wanted when Cramb replaced Little on 75 minutes but Bury had taken a grip of the game.

It was they who were the threat and Littlejohn ended a goalmouth scramble by firing into the net to make it 2-0 twelve minutes from time.

Defeat was on the cards but Crewe gained some hope as Lunt lifted a long free-kick into the box and full debutant Stephen Foster headed home on 85 minutes.

Three minutes later another incisive ball from Cramb on the right was scrambled in the box and Rivers drilled in the loose ball to equalise and give the Alex a fair chance in the second leg in two week's time.

Crewe: Kearton, Wright, S Smith, Foster, Macauley, Sorvel, Lunt, Rivers, Jack, Grant (P Smith 83), Little (Cramb 75). Subs not used: Sodje, Bankole, Liddle. Attendance: 3,199.

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