Wiss strike KOs Crewe

Wiss: His goal came too late for Crewe to recover

Crewe Alexandra 0-1 Stockport County

Jarkko Wiss grabbed his seventh goal of the season to put County into the fifth round draw for the first time in 51 years.

The Finn found the net five minutes from time from Kevin Cooper's cross to settle an intensely competitive contest at Gresty Road.

It came after Crewe striker Rodney Jack had squandered a golden chance to put his side into the lead, pulling his shot wide after Kenny Lunt had cut the ball back from the left.

Rodney Jack was the source of a lot that was good, but professional footballers shouldn't miss chances like that

  Crewe manager Dario Gradi

Tackles were sharp and there was little controlled passing in a scrappy opening before Crewe's Kenny Lunt tested Lee Jones with a 12th minute strike from 20 yards.

Mark Rivers supplied the pass for Lunt, but took responsibility himself moments later only for his shot to clear the crossbar.

Stockport began to threaten at the other end and home keeper Ademole Bankole was relieved to gather a close range header by Aaron Wilbrahim following across by Wiss.

Gradi stirs up Crewe

Chances came and went at both ends with County defender Ali Gibb only just off target from 25 yards.

"I always felt in control. I felt we dominated the game for the vast majority of it

  Stockport manager Andy Kilner

Crewe were restricted to long range attempts as the first half wore on and County could have taken the lead with Wilbrahim heading wide and Brian Carrigan forcing Bankole to another save.

A half-time pep talk from Dario Gradi resulted in Crewe starting the stronger after the break with Rob Hulse and Stephen Foster going close.

Steve McAuley might have done better with a 65th minute near post header and Jack's miss proved to be Crewe's last clear-cut opening.

Jim Gannon headed off the line from Cooper after 79 minutes but County were not to be denied and Wiss made no mistake to leave the visiting supporters in a 7,318 crowd dreaming of a plum tie in the fifth round draw.

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Crewe: Bankole, Foster, Gannon, Macauley, Sodje, Wright, Lunt, Sorvel, Rivers, Hulse, Jack. Subs: Ince, Tait, Ashton, Little, Walton.

Stockport: Jones, Nicholson, Flynn, Clark, Fradin, Smith, Gibb, Wiss, Cooper, Wilbraham, Carrigan. Subs: Dibble, Matthews, Maxwell, Woodthorpe, Clare.

Referee: M Fletcher