Dario Gradi's return to the Crewe hot seat was ruined as Stockport racked up a 3-0 win.

Stockport prove too strong in second half

Second-half goals from Craig Davies, Anthony Pilkington and Peter Thompson ruined Dario Gradi's return to the Crewe hotseat as Stockport racked up a 3-0 win. Gradi was back in charge of the first team following this week's sacking of Steve Holland. And Crewe started with a renewed bite as Shaun Miller was denied by Owain Fon Williams after just 60 seconds. But the Railwaymen soon ran out of steam and County took control with Matty McNeil forcing Steve Collis to save with a low shot before Davies curled a long-range effort just wide of the upright. Crewe were still a threat and Fon Williams pulled off a top-drawer save to deny John Brayford before Joel Grant rattled the crossbar with a spectacular effort. But three minutes after the break Davies slipped past Daniel O'Donnell and tucked the ball under Collis at his near post. Pilkington killed off any hopes of a comeback with a superb 20-yard strike in the 66th minute before Thompson headed in in stoppage time.