KNUTSFORD FC bid to reach the third round of the Cheshire Cup on Saturday.

They will travel to West Kirby, 2pm, on the back of a 2-1 home loss to Crewe FC in the Cheshire League Premier Division.

A tough game was expected against second-placed Crewe and so it proved.

Out of nothing Crewe went ahead when Southern received the ball 20 yards out, looked up and curled a shot towards the goal which Spencer got a hand to but could not push the ball away.

Reds survived a scare as a header from Smith hit the crossbar soon after.

Knutsford started to enjoy more possession but their passing was ‘off’ while Crewe looked strong and were dangerous in forward areas but there were few clear chances from either side

Spencer saved low down from Southern, Thompson had a shot comfortably saved but got closer to levelling after beating two men in the box.

Rezayan shot high over the bar, a Sothern free kick went just over and Spencer made a great save to his right but it stayed 1-0 until the break.

Knutsford started the second half on the front foot.

Riley, industrious, screwed a shot wide as Knutsford pressed forward, Rezayan was fouled just outside the box and Kirby’s left-foot free kick skimmed the bar.

Against the run of play a good cross found the incoming Birchall for 2-0 on 55 minutes.

Amesome beat his defender and blazed over before Knutsford finally got their reward on 68 minutes when Butler fed Cartner who drove forward and delivered a fierce cross into the six-yard area where Davies reacted first to tap home.

Spencer made a great point-blank save from Dunne and followed it up with another fine effort to deny Crewe.

Cartner went agonisingly wide with a volley, Thompson had a shot deflected for a corner and

Knutsford had two penalty shouts denied in the last 10 minutes.

Knutsford: Spencer, Wynne (Davies), Kirby, Maunder, Brotherton, Mountney (Wilbraham), Rezayan, Butler (Beattie), Riley, Cartner, Thompson. Sub not used: Harrison.