'Pool Progress at Crewe

The Seasiders progressed from the first round of the League Cup last night as they overcame Crewe Alexandra 2-1 at Gresty Road.

The League Two outfit posed decent opposition, whilst it was important for players like Brett Ormerod, Joe Martin, Daniel Nardiello, Billy Clarke and the two new boys Nowland and Hudson to get a start.

It was Nowland who opened the scoring early in the second half when his freekick from the left hand side of the box curled its way beyond the wall and into the right hand bottom corner. It clearly meant a lot to the midfielder, who has returned to Bloomfield Road for his second spell with the club.

Former Tranmere Rovers striker Calvin Zola put a spanner in the works with little over 15 minutes left when he pounced on a slip in the back four to slot past Matt Gilks, levelling the scores.

But with ten minutes remaining - and with Ishmel Demontagnac and youngster Louis Almond on the field - Daniel Nardiello scored his first goal in a tangerine shirt, steering the ball expertly into the net following excellent work from Demontagnac.

So, a 2-1 victory - certainly better than last year's debacle and Ian Holloway will be pleased to be in the hat for the next round. The drae takes place on Sky Sports tonight at 10 o'clock.

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