CREWE Alexandra got the better of neighbours Nantwich Town with a 4-1 pre-season friendly success on Sunday.

Harry Davis, Lauri Della Valle, George Cooper and Callum Saunders netted for Steve Davis’ side, while a George Ray own goal provided the hosts’ only reply.

An effort from Cooper hit the post on five minutes but found captain Davis and the former Nantwich Town loan man scored to break the deadlock.

Nantwich’s Sam Hall went close on 17 minutes, firing wide of Ben Garratt’s goal.

And the Dabbers were level on 32 minutes after ex-Crewe Alexandra forward Steve Jones was fouled and Matt Bell’s free kick was headed into his own net by Ray.

The Alex retook the lead on 55 minutes when Della Valle tapped a square ball across the goal line home.

But Nantwich continued to attack with PJ Hudson going close from a teasing cross that eventually found its way out for a goal kick.

Matty Kosylo was almost in to level things up again for Nantwich, when a mix-up between defender and goalkeeper allowed him in.

But it was the visitors who made it 3-1 on 75 minutes when Cooper broke through and lifted the ball over Krystian Burzynski’s hand to increase their lead.

Chris Atkinson should have made it four for the Alex, but he blazed his shot out of the ground.

With 11 minutes to go, the Alex went 4-1 up when Burzynski made a mistake and was caught in possession by Callum Saunders.

The Alex youth team graduate comfortably slotted home into an empty net.