BATTLING Crewe kept Premiership Leeds at bay until the closing minutes of tonight's Carabao Cup tie at a packed Elland Road.

The Alex's rearguard stayed intact until England midfielder Kalvin Phillips broke the deadlock in the second round clash, turning home a near-post effort from a corner late in the game.

Jack Harrison fired in an even later double (85 and 90) for Marcelo Bielsa's side to put a favourable complexion to the scoreline. But Crewe can take plenty of credit from the evening as they made a strong Leeds side work for their win in front of a crowd of 34,154, which included around 1,500 Alex fans.

Bielsa included four starters from Saturday's top-flight draw with Everton, and with the likes of Tyler Roberts, Helda Costa and Rodrigo added to the attack it looked like Crewe could be in for a tough evening.

But to their credit they defended resolutely against and frustrated their hosts until the 79th minute.

Crewe brought in Billy Sass-Davies at the back for the suspended Luke Offord and the Welsh under-21 international was in action clearing off his own goalline in the first half.

Will Jaaskelainen, drafted back in goal, thwarted Harrison while Junior Firpo struck the post as Leeds maintained their pressure in the first half.

Crewe's sights of goal were limited, although sub Callum Ainley forced United keeper Illan Meslier to get down to make a second-half stop.

But after Phillips finally broke through, Crewe wilted somewhat and sub Patrick Bamford set up Harrison, who clipped the ball over Jaaskelainen, before the winger rounded off the scoring in the last minute.