Crewe made it through to the League Two play-off final after beating Doncaster Rovers on penalties, following an impressive second-leg comeback.
Trailing 2-0 from the first leg, Crewe fought back early on as Mickey Demetriou and a James Maxwell own goal levelled the tie at 2-2 on aggregate.
Alexandra then sealed the victory 4-3 in the shootout after goalkeeper Max Stryjek saved two penalties.
Crewe will now face Crawley or MK Dons at Wembley on Sunday May 19 for a place in next season’s League One.
Crewe battle back to reach final after shootout drama
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Mickey Demetriou heads in at the back post for Crewe as they now trail 2-1 on aggregate to Doncaster in their League Two play-off semi-final clash
Despite the doubters Crewe boss Lee Bell was convinced his side could get back into the tie, and they proved they could in the early stages of the second leg.
It took just six minutes for Demetriou to land the first blow, before Maxwell turned the ball into his own net from a Chris Long cross on 16 minutes. Out of nowhere, the tie was all square.
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A James Maxwell own goal gives Crewe a 2-0 lead away to Doncaster as they also make it 2-2 on aggregate in the second leg of their play-off semi-final
Crewe then largely decided to stick, rather than twist, and the game ended up in extra-time then penalties.
And it was Stryjek – signed on an emergency loan less than a month ago – who proved to be the hero, denying Zain Westbrooke and Hakeeb Adelakun in the shootout to take Crewe to Wembley.
What’s next?
Crewe advance to the Sky Bet League Two play-off final, where they will face MK Dons at Wembley on Sunday May 19.
Doncaster will remain in the fourth tier for the 2024/25 campaign.
