When Paul Jewell ordered his Bradford City side back on to the field just two minutes into the half-time break, their humiliation was complete.

The Bantams' performance in the final 25 minutes of the first half had been disgraceful as they badly let down the 1,000 or so fans who travelled to Gresty Road.

City's defence capitulated under the slightest hint of pressure and by half-time they were already 4-0 down against a Crewe side who had lost 11 games at home this season - the joint highest tally along with Manchester City.

So when the City players re-appeared just two minutes after trooping dejectedly off the field at half-time it came as no surprise.

A furious Jewell had ordered his side back on to the pitch to embarrass them and as they sat or strolled around the centre circle, the mocking Crewe fans capped the players' misery by launching into a lusty rendition of 'You're not very good'.

And on their showing in the first half, it was a sentiment which no-one could argue with.

After a lacklustre opening 20 minutes in which Robbie Blake missed a great chance to put his side in front, City simply fell apart.

With Nigel Pepper missing from midfield, they meekly surrendered the battle in the centre of the field and allowed Crewe to put the defence under tremendous pressure.

However even allowing for that, the Bantams' defending was atrocious. All five goals came because they allowed the Crewe forward line enough time and space to carve the creaking City defence open.

Crewe, who had scored just 23 goals in 21 home games before Saturday, couldn't believe their luck as they were handed the initiative time and time again.

Steve Anthrobus put Crewe ahead after 20 minutes and within five minutes Kevin Street had doubled that lead.

Two more goals from Colin Little before the break emphasised Crewe's dominance and when City did manage a shot on target three minutes after half-time it was met with ironic cheers from the visiting fans.

With the decision on Jewell's future due within two weeks, this defeat was the worst possible scenario for him.

City have picked up just 23 points from his 20 games in charge but he has been badly handicapped by the sale of three first choice players in March and injuries which decimated the Bantams squad.

In fact several of the side on duty at Gresty Road were carrying niggling injuries but that cannot be used as an excuse for this lame effort.

City did improve after the break although it must be said that they certainly couldn't get any worse.

Going forward the conviction returned to their attack and City should have grabbed a goal back when Edinho headed Wayne Jacobs' cross wide of the post.

Talented youngster Gareth Grant also came close to capping another encouraging substitute's appearance by scoring when his run and shot saw the ball clip the woodwork with just nine minutes to go.

However although City improved going forward in the second half, their defence did not and Crewe wrapped up the game with Colin Little's third of the game when he turned Lee Sinnott inside-out before drilling the ball past Walsh.

It was a huge let down for another magnificent away following.

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