Stockport County - 2 Crewe Alex - 1

THE Alex's problem of only performing in only one half returned to haunt them at Edgeley Park as Stockport came from behind to win 2-1, last Saturday.

Crewe made an excellent start and almost took the lead in the second minute. Shaun Smith's looping corner was headed down by Foran at the far post to Little, but his snatch shot was cleared off the line by County's defence.

Four minutes later, Rodney Jack announced his return from injury with a brilliant solo run, dancing past three defenders before unleashing a powerful drive from the edge of the box that flew just over the bar.

A deserved lead came on 18 minutes as Cramb completed a storming run down the right with a pass to Street who crossed to an unmarked Sorvel at the back post.

The midfielder with a recent eye for goal smashed the ball into the back of the net from a tight angle.

Stockport began to lift themselves and Bryne spurned a great chance to level after 24 minutes as he headed over from only five yards out.

A frantic period followed with elbows and dirty challenges flying everywhere as Stockport's frustration grew.

Just as Crewe thought that would take an advantage into the interval, Connelly pounced on a loose ball and powerfully drove it home from 15 yards, deep into injury time.

County piled on the pressure after the re-start as Crewe became increasingly sloppy.

It told after 63 minutes as Flynn's long throw bounced in the box and D'Jaffo dashed through the Alex defence to meet the ball with a forceful header, sending straight past Kearton.

Manager Dario Gradi gave a wake-up call by bring on three substitutes in the seventieth minute as the game became increasingly stale.

The most impressive of them, John Grant, nearly earned Crewe a point but his shot was denied by keeper Nash with just three minutes left.

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