CREWE are through to the last 16 of the Papa Johns' Trophy after maintaining their 100 per cent record in the tournament with a comfortable win over a strong Doncaster side.

While the League One campaign has been mired in difficulties, they have breezed to victories against Shrewsbury, Wigan, Wolves under-21s and now Donny to travel the furthest in the competition during Dave Artell's reign - and since the 2013 Wembley trophy-winning campaign.

Only 699 fans, 95 of them from Doncaster, braved the freezing cold to watch tonight's (Wednesday) second round knock-out tie, but they were rewarded by a very good performance from a much-changed side as well as another parade of some of the club's promising young talent.

Dave Artell made nine changes from the side falling at Ipswich on Sunday among them Terell Thomas was joined by Academy youngster Connor O'Riordan, for his debut, at the back. While the fit-again Callum Ainley and Nathan Woodthorpe were drafted in for wing back roles and Ben Knight and Mikael Mandron came in up top.

Doncaster had eight starting who were also in the starting XI for last month's draw (1-1) between the sides at the Mornflake Stadium. Crewe in contrast only had three who started the league meeting.

But they were the better side by far and, unlike in the league, kept up the tempo from start to finish to record a deserved win.

Mandron rose the highest to meet Finney's lob and clattered the bar with an early header.

There was a half chance for Madger Gomes, but he miscued in front of goal, although Woodthorpe darted in to force Louis Jones to push the ball around his near post.

Finney should have done better with a clear sight on goal but shot straight at Jones.

But Knight showed some sublime skill to find the top corner with a sweet strike from 25 yards out for the 33rd-minute opener.

Rovers responded with Aidan Barlow curling an effort just wide of the far post. It was one of the visitors' few efforts on goal.

Soon after the restart Knight nearly picked out the bottom corner with a deft prod onto Finney's pass, with the ball just arrowing the wrong side of Jones' post.

Even Thomas got into the action in front of goal, but the centre-half blasted high over after a corner was worked into his path.

Crewe, though, always looked like adding to their lead rather than letting Donny back into a tie which would have gone straight to penalties if not settled in 90 minutes.

Jones' bar was struck again by an audacious lob from Finney with Knight picking up the loose ends and driving across the face of goal.

Then Finney was rewarded for his persistence when he met Knight's corner to glance a header across Jones into the bottom corner for the second in the 72nd minute.

The draw for the last 16 ties will be made on Saturday (December 4) and should Crewe come through theirs they will be only two games away from making a return to Wembley.

Alex boss Artell believes the success can help trigger an improvement in league form.

"We were unlucky not to get something on Sunday, but tonight we got what we deserved," said Artell.

"Doncaster made three changes from Saturday and we made nine and I think it showed how far we've progressed in the last three, four or five weeks.

"We've still got a long way to go, but I think we're heading in the right direction. We are getting there and in the last few weeks there have been more consistent and better performances.

"But we've got to do that in the league and we've got to make sure we take that into next Tuesday against Lincoln. I'm sure if we perform like we have been doing in the last few weeks then we'll pick up more wins."

Crewe: Jaaskelainen; O'Riordan, Thomas, Offord; Ainley (Johnson), Murphy, Gomes (Lundstram,) Woodthorpe (Tabiner); Finney, Mandron, Knight Subs: Richards, Adebisi, Sass-Davies, Long

Doncaster: Jones; Knoyle, Anderson, Olowu, Smith, Barlow (Hasani), Horton (Rowe); Galbraith, Dodoo, Hiwula; Cukur (Kuleya). Subs: Dahlberg, Rowe, Blythe, Ravenhill, Faulkner

Attendance: 699