Bolton Wanderers booked their place in the third round of the Capital One Cup but needed extra time to defeat Crewe Alexandra 3-2 at Gresty Road this evening.
The home side took the lead in the second minute when Bradden Inman raided into the box and curled his effort into the bottom corner past Andrew Lonergan.
Crewe almost doubled their advantage when George Ray rose highest in the area to head a cross from the right at goal, but saw his effort crash off the crossbar and go over.
Steve Davis's side should have scored their second when Inman forced Lonergan into a save and Vadaine Oliver pounced on the rebound, but he put his effort over the bar from close range.
Bolton drew level just before the break when Liam Feeney raided down the left and his cross was headed in at the back post by Darren Pratley.
In the second half, Crewe lost Ray to a serious injury but that didn't stop them from pushing forward, and Matt Tootle went close as he found space in the area but put his effort wide of the post.
Feeney almost created his second goal of the game as he lifted a cross for Dorian Dervite to head at goal, but the Frenchman guided his effort just wide of the target.
Bolton took the lead in the 90th minute when Jermaine Beckford latched on to a cross at the back post and fired a volley into the net with a spectacular first-time finish.
In the final second of the eight minutes of added time, Crewe got their equaliser when Marcus Haber headed home from close range to keep his side in the competition.
At the start of extra time, Haber almost gave his side the lead when he powered a header at goal, but Lonergan was on hand to tip his effort onto the crossbar and over.
However, Wanderers regained their lead as Beckford got his second of the game with another volleyed finish from inside the box, which was enough to see his side through the third round.
Simon Sinclair
