CREWE exited the FA Cup amid pain and a touch of controversy at the Jonny-Rocks Stadium this afternoon.

Cheltenham frontman George Lloyd's extra-time header proved decisive against a below-par Alex.

They failed to get to grips with Michael Duff's lively League Two outfit, who combined some neat play with a direct approach that caused problems in the box for Will Jaaskelainen.

Olly Lancashire felt the full force of Lloyd's diving header in the tie's 94th-minute and had to resume with his head clad in a bandage.

Defensively Crewe looked groggy as early as the third minute when Finn Azaz pounced on a poor clearance to pull a volley into the bottom corner for the worst possible start.

Yet while Dave Artell's players failed to move up the gears they could have gone in level at the break or at least with a man advantage, only for some poor refereeing from James Adcock to conspire against them.

Lewis Freestone was fortunate not to see red when he pulled back Chris Porter as the veteran striker profited from the defender's heavy touch and looked to be clear on goal.

Scott Flinders pushed away the resulting free kick from Harry Pickering, but then the keeper was fortunate later in the half when his erratic clearance cannoned off Robins defender Charlie Raglan and bounced wide of an empty net.

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After the break the keeper thwarted Daniel Powell and Luke Murphy, who were both recalled to the starting XI by Artell - the manager's third change, Callum Ainley, hobbled off after the home side's opener.

Porter's 63rd-minute leveller, a 20-yard blast which took a big deflection to wrong foot Flinders, suggested Crewe would go on and exert their authority.

But despite that fillip they failed to make the most of superior possession and there was a lethargic look to their approach as Raglan headed wide late on and the game moved into extra-time.

The aerial route offered Cheltenham their winner with sub Tom Sang's cross headed back across goal by Liam Sercombe for Lloyd to beat Lancashire to the punch and ensure the Robins will be in Monday's third round draw.