Crewe Alexandra ,1Bradford City 2; by Richard Sutfliffe at Gresty Road.

Paul Jewell's gamble of all-out attack in the closing stages to avoid an FA Cup replay paid off as City edged nervously into the fourth round.

The Bantams had looked set for a comfortable passage against the First Division strugglers when Robbie Blake struck just seven minutes after half-time with a well-taken goal.

After an impressive start which had penned Crewe back deep in their own half for the opening 15 minutes, City had lost their way with misplaced passes handing possession to the home side. However despite taking control of midfield for long periods in that first half, Crewe rarely looked like beating a resolute Bantams defence.

So when Blake struck to give City the lead, there looked to be no way back for the home side.

Unfortunately for Jewell, he could only watch as his side then proceeded to allow Crewe's young team back into the game.

The body language of the City boss told its own story as incisive passing from the Crewe midfield opened up his side's defence and it looked just a matter of time before an equaliser arrived. The fact that it took until the 75th minute is a tribute to Matt Clarke in the City goal who again pulled off a string of impressive saves.

However even he could do nothing about Shaun Smith's deep cross which lively Colin Little nodded into the net. At that stage, Crewe were firmly in the driving seat and some managers would have been praying their side could force a replay.

Jewell, though, was having none of that and immediately brought Lee Sharpe on for a tired-looking Peter Beagrie. Four minutes later, the City boss brought off defender Gunnar Halle and replaced him with striker Dean Saunders and the two substitutes combined to earn City a fourth round tie against Walsall or Gillingham.

When asked about his double substitution, Jewell cracked: "It was a great managerial decision and people who know me will know I do that every week!

"I thought Peter Beagrie was getting a bit tired because the pitch was heavy down that side. With all the games we have coming up I didn't want a replay and thought if we can go at them then we might just nick it.

"Lee Sharpe came on and we played three up front in the hope we could do just that. Thank-fully, it paid off.

"It is all about results and although we didn't play well, we are through. Four Premier League teams went out on Saturday against sides from the Nationwide so it is good to get through."

After doing so well in the opening stages when David Wetherall and Lee Mills went close to opening the scoring, the manner City lost their way was mystifying. Where earlier in the game precise passing had forced Crewe back, City suddenly started playing hopeful balls into space which made the home defence's job much easier.

Stuart McCall used the ball well, but unfortunately his team-mates did not take inspiration from their skipper as they started to waste possession. This, in turn, meant the Crewe midfield grew in confidence and started to dictate the game.

Neil Sorvel and Kevin Street were outstanding with their neat passing and running off the ball causing untold problems for the City midfield.

Up front, Colin Cramb also impressed with some neat work on the ball while Paul Tait's height provided a useful addition to Crewe's attacking game.

However, despite being in control of midfield, it was City who struck first when a sublime chipped cross from Peter Beagrie created a scoring chance for Blake to thunder a volley into the net.

At that stage, there appeared little danger for the Premiership side but once the game had passed the hour-mark, Crewe bossed proceedings. Street was a thorn in the Bantams' side and after he had waltzed round four players, Clarke had to be at his best to deny his stinging shot.

The Bantams goalkeeper also denied Tait and Little in a very busy spell to illustrate just how lucky City are to have two quality keepers in him and Gary Walsh. Just what Sheffield Wednesday were doing during the summer allowing him to leave must be a total mystery to fans of the struggling Owls.

Even Clarke's heroics were not enough to keep Crewe at bay and when Little struck, the home side looked clear favourites to go on and grab the winner.

However, Jewell acted swiftly and brought on both Sharpe and Saunders with the Welsh international's 81st minute strike settling the tie.

Sharpe displayed his hunger by closing an indecisive Marcus Bignot down before whipping the ball away from him.

The former Leeds man then looked up and with the defence retreating to their own line, he coolly rolled the ball to Saunders and he gleefully fired through a sea of bodies to clinch victory.

The Welsh international may be 35, but he has the enthusiasm and appetite for playing football of a youngster starting out in the game.

It was fitting, therefore, that he should grab the winner and it also proved the benefits of having a strong squad.

Having two internationals in Sharpe and Saunders on the bench is a good sign for City - particularly when you note that two of last season's vital squad members in Ashley Westwood and Gareth Whalley were also on the sidelines.

That is vital because if City are to achieve their number one goal of survival in the Premiership, then every player at Valley Parade will have a role to play, no matter how big or small.

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