CREWE assistant boss Kenny Lunt said making progress in the EFL Trophy compensates for the patchy performance which was enough to defeat Newcastle United's youngsters.

The narrow win secured by Harry Pickering's freak second-half strike leaves the Alex top of the Northern section's Group C and a point from the November visit of Shrewsbury would seal qualification to the next round.

Crewe should have put the game to bed before the break after a dominant show. But the second half was a different story and they faded somewhat after sub Pickering's 66th-minute free kick sailed in over the head of Toon keeper Will Brown.

"We were very good in the first half and it should have been three or four by half-time," said Lunt. "In the second half we went away from what were doing. We dropped to their tempo and they have got some good players.

"But it was about winning the game and getting the three points. It's two wins now as we try to get through to the next round."

There were nine changes from the weekend win over MK Dons and it was an opportunity to offer Tommy Lowery a start for the first time since January, while summer signing Donervon Daniels made his Crewe debut after recovering from a pre-season injury, starting in a right-back role.

Lowery, who needs game time after undergoing hernia surgery, was swiftly involved thrashing Charlie Kirk's pullback at goal only for keeper Brown to conjure up a brilliant save, palming the ball away.

That heralded a one-sided first half as Crewe pressed the tempo.

Daniels showed his aerial power with two strong headers, the second from Kirk's corner was powered downwards and bounced just over the upright.

Ludwig Francillette took evasive action to hack Kirk's goalbound header out of the six yard box while young midfielder Josh Lundstram tested the keeper.

Kirk enjoyed tormenting the Toon's youthful backline, but he was wayward sending a volley from Callum Ainley's cross way over.

The only downside of a dominant first half for Crewe was an injury to Olly Lancashire, which forced the unlucky centre half down the tunnel.

Newcastle's youngsters came out of their shell after the restart and Dave Richards gloved a rising drive from Stan Flaherty over before Crewe did take the lead.

It proved to be a strange affair with Pickering floating a free kick over from the right with Brown badly misjudging the flight.

Toon sparked into life in the later stages and sub Elias Sorenson was very lively, going close a couple of times but overall Crewe's much-changed side deserved to pick up their second group win.

Lunt added: "There were players coming back from injury; Donervon was one of our better players. We played him at right back to help get him fit by getting him up the pitch. And it was good to have Tommy (Lowery) back."

Crewe: Richards; Daniels, Lancashire (Ng), Sass-Davies, Johnson; Wintle (Pickering), Lowery (Murphy), Lundstram; Ainley, Zanzala, Kirk

Subs: Banda, Midgley