RODNEY Jack fired the first goal of his second stint at Gresty Road when Crewe hosted Wigan on a memorable night in the Carling Cup 14 years ago.

Nicky Maynard rounded of a superb win, Crewe's first against a top flight side in 23 years and one which booked a third round visit from Manchester United.

Arguably Crewe's most exciting attacking talent during the early Division One/Championship era, Jack had made a surprise return to the club after his career stalled somewhat with moves to Rushden and Diamonds and Oldham.

His previous blistering pace may have waned a tad by 2006; the West Indian was close to his 34th birthday on this night, but he still had the knack around the box and after Luke Varney whipped the ball back from the byline he was in like a flash to swat home past Wigan keeper Mike Pollitt.

It provided Crewe with an interval lead which they defended doggedly in the second half before Varney was again the creator, laying the ball on for Maynard to pick his spot from 10 yards out.

It certainly was a win not to be taken lightly after what had been a slow start to the 2006/2007 campaign for Dario Gradi's side.

The hangover of relegation from the Championship saw the Alex take five games to post their first success with Maynard scoring twice in a 4-1 win at Brighton's Withdean Stadium.

But there was plenty of attacking verve in the ranks to run up some emphatic results; later that September Carlisle were on the end of a 5-1 hammering at Gresty Road with summer signing Ryan Lowe bagging a hat-trick.

Maynard and Varney were to share nearly 45 goals in all competitions that campaign as they were destined later for big moves. Jack, at the tail end of his professional career was the supporting act along with Lowe, Luke Rodgers and Mike Higdon.

But despite fitness issues the St. Vincent international managed 22 starts and the Alex faithful were glad to have him back. A screamer off the bench inspired a 4-3 comeback win over Gillingham soon after and he was still going strong the following April until he limped out of a painful derby defeat at Port Vale as his Crewe career drew to a close.

Dropping into non-league, Jack's enthusiasm for the game was never dimmed and he was still turning out for Nantwich as he approached his 40th birthday.

The boots may not get donned these days, but his passion for the game was there to see when he was on co-commentating duties with BBC Radio Stoke's Graham McGarry for the recent Football League Trophy game with Newcastle under-21s.

Back in 2007, Crewe's campaign rather petered out as they finished well down the table in 13th with Varney and Maynard missing through injury for part of the later stages. The cups offered a welcome distraction and almost a trip to Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, but a controversial exit in the Johnstone's Paints Trophy at Doncaster's Keepmoat Stadium put paid to final glory.

In the Carling Cup the Alex went on to give United a run for their money with Varney cancelling out Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's opener, before bowing out to an extra-time strike from Kieran Lee.

But the Wigan win was one of the high spots of a disappointing season considering the calibre of some of the players in the opposing ranks.

While the Premiership side had made changes, including handing former Alex defender David Wright a rare start, Paul Jewell's starting XI included Leighton Baines and Kevin Kilbane, while Emile Heskey came off the bench.