CREWE ALEXANDRA 2 Wanderers 1

THERE appears to be no limit to Dario Gradi's ability to unearth and nurture exciting, young prospects at his Crewe academy.

Liverpool, Leicester and Spurs are the latest admirers to offer top dollar for the fruits of his labours, stripping the Alex of three of their star turns - Danny Murphy, Rob Savage and Gareth Whalley.

But a new batch of talent rolled off the Gresty Road production line last night to steal the show from Wanderers' multi-million pound Premiership hopefuls.

Last season's record-breaking attack contributed to their own downfall with a string of missed chances while the Crewe kids - all changed in the second half - made the most of theirs on the first official day of the pre-season programme.

Former Everton keeper Jason Kearton frustrated John McGinlay, Alan Thompson, Nathan Blake and Gudni Bergsson before Mark Rivers cashed in to put the Alex in front three minutes before half-time.

Wanderers seemed to have emerged from a tight spot when Blake equalised on 56 minutes and lined up a penalty 17 minutes later after a foul on Per Frandsen. But the Welshman's spot-kick was saved by Ade Bankole and, once again, Gradi's Graduates took full advantage.

Wanderers had two escapes when Gavin Ward denied Fran Tierney with a fingertip save and when a shot from impressive midfielder James Collins hit the woodwork but Steve Pope made no mistake with an accurate 20-yard free kick for the 79th minute winner. The result was of little concern to Colin Todd, who used the game as a workout for the bulk of his senior squad - fielding 20 players in all.

But the Bolton boss picked up on a lack of organisation in midfield in the second-half and admitted: "I'll be looking for an improvement as we go along.

"We're working on fitness at this stage and results don't really matter. In fact we had a poor pre-season last year and went on to have a sensational season in the league.

"I'll be more than happy if we can do the same again!"

Wanderers: Branagan (sub 45 mins Ward), Cox (sub 45 mins McAnespie), Elliott (sub 45 mins Phillips), Frandsen (sub 75 mins Aljofree), Coleman (sub 73 mins Strong), Bergsson, Johansen, Sellars (sub 45 mins Sheridan), Blake (sub 75 mins Taylor), McGinlay (sub 45 mins Paatelainen), Thompson (sub 45 mins Pollock).

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