FC UNITED keeper Phil Melville had his fill of chips in last night's friendly at Moss Lane, twice being undone by shots which looped above his head, writes Stuart Brennan.
The stopper, seeking a regular first-team place at the expense of Barrie George, had defied the Robins with terrific saves from Colin Little, Rob Lawton and Warren Peyton.
And the Rebels had taken a deserved first half lead against the Conference outfit - four divisions higher - when last season's joint top scorer Rory Patterson was fouled by Peter Band and picked himself up to score from the spot after 39 minutes.
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Crewe
Alty stepped up a gear in the second half and former Crewe and Macclesfield man Little produced a sweet lob to draw his team level on 57 minutes.
Peyton went one better with a clever turn and chip on 64 minutes and sub Lee Hendley made the most of a defensive mix-up to score Alty's third.
2 M Taylor
3 A Mortimer
4 Steve Spencer
5 Dave Chadwick(captain)
6 Rob Nugent
7 Josh Howard
8 Will Ahern
9 Stuart Ruud
10 Steve Torpey
11 Rory Patterson
Subs Used
12 Rhodri Giggs
13 S Smith
14 Simon Carden
15 Liam Coyne
16 Adie Orr
17 B Mortimer
18 Dave Brown
19 Dave Swarbrick
Attendance 1326
Scorers
Patterson(pen) 39