Crewe Alexandra began their 2026/27 season with a 2-1 Carabao Cup victory over League Two rivals Accrington Stanley at the Mornflake Stadium. The Railwaymen secured passage to the second round for the first time in three years with a late winner from substitute Luca Moore, whose downward header from Lewis Billington's cross came five minutes from time.
Moore's 20-year-old scored his first competitive goal to complete the comeback after Accrington had levelled the tie in the second half. The match saw manager Lee Bell field new signings Joe White, Jordan Gibson and Luke Offord in his starting XI. White and Offord returned to the club for second spells, while Gibson joined from Doncaster Rovers in early June. Academy graduate Tom Booth started in goal as Bell managed his senior goalkeeper Ian Lawlor ahead of next week's league opener at Crawley Town.
Lankester Gives Crewe Early Lead
Crewe dominated the opening period and took the lead after seven minutes. Calum Agius released possession down the right-hand side before pulling the ball back low into the box, where Josh March was brought down by Accrington defender Devon Matthews. Jack Lankester converted the penalty calmly, sending goalkeeper Louie Moulton the wrong way.
The Railwaymen continued to threaten. Lewis Billington's cross on 16 minutes nearly resulted in a spectacular goal when March's acrobatic effort struck the crossbar. Minutes later, Jordan Gibson's low deflected shot almost fell perfectly for Agius. A stretching Connor O'Brien prevented what could have been a tap-in for Agius at the far post from combination play involving Gibson, Lankester and March.
Accrington Equalises Before Moore Seals Win
Accrington offered little in the first half but found their way back into the match in the second period. A scrappy near-post corner on 66 minutes produced an equaliser that levelled the tie. Crewe regrouped and finished stronger, with Moore's header from Billington's cross settling the outcome in the closing stages.
