DAVE Artell revealed he could have let J'Neil Bennett slip through the net after the Tottenham teenager paved the path for Crewe's first win in League One this term.

Bennett, 19, was involved in both goals as the Alex put their first three points on the board at a Mornflake Stadium bedecked in September sunshine.

Bennett impressed travelling fans at Shrewsbury last weekend and he was soon making his mark with pace and skill giving Burton skipper, former Alex man John Brayford, an early headache.

The teenager's pull-back in the 10th minute was diverted by Michael Bostwick past Ben Garratt with the defender getting the credit for an o.g.

But there was no doubting Bennett's handiwork late in the game as the Brewers, down to 10 men after Charlie Lakin's dismissal, were left chasing shadows as the youngster cut in and shot past Garratt (87).

The teenager got an opportunity to make his Spurs bow in the Europa Conference League last month, a game he would have missed had Crewe signed him sooner. He spent time training at Reaseheath over the summer, but it was Owen Dale's departure to Blackpool that eventually saw boss Artell make his move by negotiating a loan deal up to January with the Premiership giants.

"J'Neil is a very good player. We had him up at the club over the summer and we should have done it far earlier than we did. Having seen him up close and personal, we made the wrong decision to wait to see if could get better," said the manager.

"But from what we've seen today and at Shrewsbury last week we probably wouldn't have got better and we're delighted that he is here."

Crewe looked far more dangerous than they had on their previous home outing – almost a month ago against Accrington - and former keeper Garratt manufactured a decent double save to deny Scott Robertson and Callum Ainley before Bennett struck.

But the Brewers grew into the game and it needed an agile block from Rio Adebisi to keep out a rebound effort from Harry Chapman.

Chapman - who left a bitter imprint on Crewe last season when inflicting a broken leg on Oli Finney - went close with a curling free kick after the break.

It was looking ominous on a Burton equaliser and Will Jaaskelainen produced a good parry to push away Kane Hemmings' close-range header, although the frontman, who scored a hat-trick on his last visit, probably should have done better after Tom Hamer dropped the ball on his head on the edge of the six-yard box.

But at the other end Garratt too excelled, using his feet to deny Ainley who had slipped in at the back post.

Yet the Burton buzz looked a tad dishevelled when Lakin - already booked amid a spate of first half cards for the visitors - was given his marching orders in the 67th minute after clattering Scott Kashket near the touchline.

The visitors still had chances, notably a Conor Shaughnessy overhead kick which fortunately flew straight at Jaaskelainen.

So it needed a second to ease Crewe's passage and it came in exciting fashion with Bennett picking the ball up just in the Burton half and racing away before cutting in to fire past Garratt.

Artell admitted: "It feels like we're heading in the right direction, but there is a lot more to come.

"It's nowhere near where we want to be and we'll keep banging the drum at the lads. I'm pleased the lads have got a bit of a reward for what they've put on the training pitch over the last two weeks."

As well as Bennett, Crewe's other home debutants, Scott Robertson and Kashket also put in impressive displays. Robertson's guile on the ball in the middle of the park frustrated an ill-disciplined Burton and the Celtic youngster looks a good prospect.

"I'm not sure what the new Celtic manager is looking for but he's got a gem there. Scott is certainly a good player for us and we're delighted to have him here for the season," said Artell.

Burton boss Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink felt referee Ross Joyce should have shown leniency with Lakin's first yellow card.

"For the first one it was early in the game and he could have been spoken to. That's what the referee did with Crewe. I didn't see the second, but the first was disappointing – I didn't think the referee was very good today," groaned the Brewers boss.

Crewe: Jaaskelainen; Ramsay, Daniels, Thomas (Offord,), Adebisi; Murphy (Lundstram), Robertson, Ainley (Porter); Kashket, Mandron, Bennett.

Subs: Balcombe, Patrick, Blake-Tracy, Leak