A DOUBLE strike from Andrew Ashworth kept Crewe Vagrants 2nd XI flying high on Saturday.

With the first team's fixture against Bebbington off, all attention was focused on the in-form second team who delivered a decent 2-1 victory at UMIST.

The visitors started strongly to take the lead within the first 10 minutes but Crewe regrouped thanks to good work from Martin Walford and Paddy Leese and hit back mid-way through the first half.

Vagrants were forced to reorganise the defence, replacing Walford with Graham Cooke to start the second-half before Ashworth struck again.

The marksman raced down the left, cut into the D and finished sweetly to put Crewe in front.

UMIST launched some serious assaults but good work from keeper Mark Grey and the defence kept them at bay while Crewe saw two strong penalty appeals waved away by the away umpire.

With five matches to go, Crewe are fourth in North West Div Four.

They travel to Nelson and Rossendale on Saturday.

The 1st team entertain league leaders Bowden (start 1.30pm).

Crewe's young 3rd XI crashed to their second successive defeat, 3-2 at Chester.

The lads had got off to a great start through Paul Owen's deadly strike but Chester dominated the remainder of the half although were unable to convert any of their chances.

Keeper Will Murphy made some fine saves to maintain the status quo but the home side finally broke through with a well taken short corner and then struck a killer blow with two goals in quick succession.

Crewe threw everything forward and Owen grabbed his second to set up a grandstand finish though the equaliser proved too elusive.

They drop to fourth in NW Division Seven South although top spot is only two points away.

The thirds look to stop the rot at home to Oxton, start 12.00pm.

The Ladies 1st XI completed a comprehensive 3-0 win over Poynton.

Dominant from the whistle, Poynton's keeper was required to keep them at bay several times before Gilly Blythe established the advantage with a well-taken goal.

Bev Jackson doubled their lead with a fine drive, giving Crewe complete control at the break.

Roles reversed in the second half as first-team debutant Cassie Warren was forced to rescue her side on numerous occasions.

Poynton had gone for the jugular but Shez Tomkinson hit them on the break to wrap up maximum points for Crewe.

A depleted Ladies 2nd team lost out 2-0 at Warrington.

The home side opened the scoring amidst controversy will the ball appearing out of play seconds before the goal.

It stood however and Warrington were 2-0 up at the break thanks to a successful short corner.

Vagrants rallied in the second-half but were down to 10 after Gillian Matthew's head injury and despite several chances, they could not find a way back.

The Ladies Thirds defied the odds to beat Timperley 2-1 at home.

Missing five regulars, it showed in a poor first half from which the visitors led 1-0.

Crewe emerged a different side after the break and Cathy Day's superb one-two passes with Dee Bouherie down the pitch led to a penalty flick.

Day finished off her good work by steering the ball home.

Vagrants maintained their workrate and winger Jenny Weir finished an excellent run through the defence in the perfect way, netting for 2-1.

Cuttler could have made it 3 after beating the last defender and keeper but her shot went wide of an empty net.

No Ladies fixtures on Saturday.