by Gwyn Griffiths

TEENAGERS Luke Murphy and Danny Shelley were among a host of surprises Dario Gradi sprang on Crewe's travelling faithful as they look forward to the arrival of Gudjon Thordarson.

While the inclusion of youth-teamer Shelley in the starting eleven must have had a few supporters scratching the grey matter, the chief shock of the day was this happy conclusion to what has been a largely dreadful 2008.

After the Boxing Day defeat at the hands of Oldham, few would have expected the Alex's depleted resources to manufacture their first League One win on their travels, least of all such an emphatic one.

But it proved a fitting way for Gradi to bow out of his caretaker rein before handing over to the new manager this week. Especially so as the accent has always been on youth during his 25-year involvement with this club.

So he didn't have to think twice about cutting short Endon-based Shelley's Christmas break so the 17-year-old could solve his defensive crisis. And, with no fewer than 11 players unavailable, Gradi also handed Murphy, aged 18, his first senior start.

Danny Woodards's absence forced a switch to a 3-5-2 system in which John Brayford joined Danny O'Donnell and Dennis Lawrence at the back, while Colin Daniel and Shelley were deployed in wing-back roles.

Clayton Donaldson also won a recall up front alongside Shaun Miller in an attack which offered enough pace to cause problems on the break in the first half.

Miller soon burst clear down the left and cut infield before cracking a goal-bound effort, which was blocked by former Port Vale defender Sam Collins.

Hartlepool, in contrast, channelled much of their early play through big Kevin Kyle, but the former Sunderland striker was well marshalled by O'Donnell and also looked out of sorts.

Goalmouth action was at a premium early on, with Donaldson failing to test Arran Lee-Barrett with a deflected effort, while, at the other end, Joel Porter dipped a volley over Stuart Tomlinson's crossbar.

Tomlinson has been a safe pair of hands since replacing Steve Collis and he was comfortably behind Ben Clark's long-range shot, while he went to ground quickly at his near post to hold an Andy Monkhouse effort.

Porter almost provided some inspiration for the Pools with a powerful near-post header, which Tomlinson did well to paw behind for a corner. Then Brayford was alert to put a shot from Humphreys out after the full-back rampaged into the box. But Donaldson should have won Crewe a penalty after breaking down the left. Centre-half Michael Nelson slid in and took the striker's legs, but referee Karl Evans waved aside protests.

Yet coping with pace was clearly a worry for a Pools side, also under caretaker management with long-serving Chris Turner now holding the fort after the sacking of Danny Wilson.

Daniel conjured up a super chance for Donaldson nine minutes before the break when he carried the ball from his own box and slid a pass in behind.

But the former Hibs man didn't get power behind his shot and keeper Lee-Barrett got his angles right to save with his feet.

Tomlinson needed two bites of the cherry to hold on to Monkhouse's header as the winger's connection with Antony Sweeney's delivery saw the ball arrow towards the bottom corner. But just as it appeared both sides would have to settle for parity after an even first half, it was Brayford demonstrating the eye for goal he honed at Burton Albion when he nudged Crewe ahead just before the whistle.

Donaldson appeared to have lost possession, but showed determination to regather the ball and whip a cross in. Miller got the slightest of flicks, which left Brayford with the decisive touch at the far post to carry the ball into the top corner.

It was a super fillip for the visitors, but their advantage lasted all but three minutes as slack play allowed Porter, who easily lost his man, carrying the ball deep into the box before unleashing it into the bottom corner.

But typical of festive fare across the country, there were thrills and spills lying in wait for the 128 hardy Alex fans who had made the long trip up the A1.

And their side was back in front in the 55th minute in curious circumstances.

Young Shelley had coped well with early nerves and was keeping things simple on the right flank. But he then put over a low ball, which several of his team-mates went for and Nelson who inadvertently turned it in past the wrong-footed Lee-Barrett.

Within five minutes, Crewe had carved out some rare daylight between themselves and the opposition. And how they did it with Murphy taking a pass inside and finding the top left corner with a peach of a strike.

Pools were visibly shaken and their approach play became even less methodical than it had been.

They resorted to long-range shooting as they realised hitting the ball up at big Kyle was having little effect.

The giant centre-forward endured a poor afternoon and was roundly booed when he was hauled off in the closing stages.

And the home fans were jeering even louder when Miller sealed a heartening afternoon's work for Crewe by capitalising on Lee-Barrett's horrendous clearance.

The keeper charged out of his box and under pressure from Donaldson miscued his kick. It landed 10 yards from him and he was left to pick the ball out of the net when Miller reacted the quickest to fire in the fourth with seven minutes left.

There was still time for Ritchie Jones to come close to a consolation with a 20-yard effort, which flew just wide, and then test Tomlinson with a header.

But, as the darkness descended over the masts in Hartlepool's nearby marina complex, it had been an unusual afternoon of plain sailing for Crewe in the Teesside chill as they await the arrival of the Iceman.