Shrewsbury Town ended January just as they had begun it, with a notable cup victory.
After scoring a shock FA Cup third round victory over Premiership Everton 25 days ago, the Gay Meadow side registered a memorable 4-2 home win over near neighbours Crewe to book a place in the LDV Vans Trophy Northern Section Area final against Carlisle United next month.
Four days after their FA Cup exit against Chelsea, Kevin Ratcliffe's men showed no ill effects, with skipper Nigel Jemson firing them into a deserved 27th minute lead.
Two minutes after the break Ryan Lowe put Shrewsbury further ahead and although Rob Hulse pulled one back for Crewe on 57 minutes, Lowe struck again in the 71st minute to restore Town's two-goal advantage.
Luke Rodgers put the outcome beyond all doubt a quarter of an hour from time, with Dean Ashton's late goal strike completing the scoring in this excellent encounter.