Blackpool's unbeaten pre-season came to an end at Gresty Road as Crewe beat the Seasiders 1-0.

The Tangerines, who fielded three trialists for the fixture, were largely indepted to Matt Gilks who pulled off numerous saves in a fixture that was Pool's fifth in the space of a week.

The trialist starting up top was the first player to have an effort, he jinked inside two defenders before firing just wide of the keeper. It was the forward again, who for these purposes we'll call trialist B, who showed a great turn of piece down the left before setting up Gary Taylor-Fletcher. Clayton Donaldson then smashed an effort over the bar at the other end for Crewe.

Donaldson had another effort for the home side moments later but this time his strike flashed wide of the post. Dario Gradi's side were seeing plenty of possession and nearly took the lead through Ashley Westwood but for a fine save with his feet from Matt Gilks. Ryan Donaldson had his third chance of the evening on the 20-minute mark but he once again failed to find the target.

The Railwaymen were to take the lead however in the 34th minute when Shaun Miller bundled the ball home from a yard out after Ryan Donaldson headed the ball towards goal from a free-kick.

CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 BLACKPOOL 0

The Seasiders almost equalised in spectacular fashion minutes later when Charlie hit a dipping half-volley off the underside of the bar. The home side were then prevented from doubling their advantage when Matt Gilks pulled off a fine save once again to deny Shaun Miller.

HALF-TIME SCORE: CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 BLACKPOOL 0

The Seasiders made five changes at the break, Ian Evatt, Keith Southern, David Vaughan, Jason Euell and Brett Ormerod replacing Stephen Crainey, Stephen Husband, Charlie Adam, Trialist B and Gary Taylor-Fletcher.

Crewe could have made it two inside the opening stages of the second-half when Shaun Miller raced clear only to be thwarted once again by Matt Gilks. The keeper was being made to work harder than in any other pre-season game so far.

Pool were forced in to another change six minutes in when Neal Eardley limped off to be replaced by Ishmel Demontagnac. The home side made a double substitution themselves just after the hour as the energy levels started to drop a little bit. Ash Eastham then replaced Alex Baptiste as time started to tick away.

The fixture was now becoming dominated by changes as second year scholar Tom Barkhuizen took to the field in place of Trialist C.

Crewe finished the game off the brighter and forced yet another save out of Matt Gilks, who was arguably Pool's best player on the night.

FINAL SCORE: CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 BLACKPOOL 0

Attendance: 1,924 (285 away)