Shuker strike sinks Crewe

Rovers leave it late to go through

Last updated: 6th October 2008

Chris Shuker

Shuker: Late winner

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Chris Shuker's late goal saw Tranmere into the third round of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy with a 1-0 victory over Crewe.

The former Manchester City youngster came off the bench to grab the winner four minutes from time with a deflected shot.

Steven Jennings blazed wide from a good opening inside the first minute for Tranmere. At the other end Calvin Zola fired straight at Rovers goalkeeper Danny Coyne when he should have done better.

Dennis Lawrence saw a header cleared off the line by Ryan Shotton. Then Coyne was forced into a good diving save from a long-range effort by Michael O'Connor.

An Andy Taylor corner almost crept in and Ian Moore saw a shot deflected wide as the home side started the second-half more aggressively. It became a backs to the wall task for Crewe and further home chances went begging with Bas Savage heading over in the 83rd minute when he should have found the target.

But after 86 minutes Tranmere got the breakthrough with a shot by substitute Shuker taking a wicked deflection past the unlucky Steve Collis in the Crewe goal.