Young goalkeeper Stuart Tomlinson was on fine form as he helped Crewe overcome a stubborn Rochdale in last nights Johnstone Paints Trophy.
It was Luke Varney who was first on the goal sheet after he lofted a shot over keeper Gilks in the 39-minute and this after he squandered a one-on-one a little earlier. But it was League Two outfit Rochdale that then had more of the play and Kenneth Barker equalised on the hour and with no more goals the game entered the dreaded penalty shoot out.
Step forward the hero of the night in the form of Stuart Tomlinson he managed to save three penalties to send Crewe through to the last sixteen. Luke Varney and Nicky Maynard where the only ones to convert there penalties with Ryan Lowe and youngster Adam Dugdale missing there spot-kicks.
Rochdale: Gilks, Brown, Stanton, Crooks, Goodall, Doolan (Jackson 78), Jones, Cooksey, Dagnall, Moyo-Modise, Barker.
Subs Not Used: Rundle, Sako, Ramsden, Boardman.
Booked: Goodall, Dagnall.
Crewe: Tomlinson, Dugdale, O'Donnell, Kempson, Flynn, Lowe, Roberts (Coo 81), Rix, Osbourne, Maynard, Varney.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Rodgers, Higdon, Suhaj.
Att: 1,148.