WREXHAM beat Crewe Alexandra 3-0 at Gresty Road to progress to the knockout stages of the EFL Trophy.

Phil Parkinson's men made it two wins from as many group games by securing a comfortable victory over the Railwaymen and are guaranteed to finish in the top-two in the group.

Having already defeated Newcastle United under 21s 1-0, Wrexham - who won the competition in 2005 - will now face Port Vale, who have five points after two games, in the final game next month.

Although both teams are through, there is still a lot riding on that fixture as the group winners will be seeded and the runners-up will be unseeded in the draw for the second round.

The damage was done in the opening 13 minutes at Crewe as Wrexham built up a 2-0 lead and were well in control.

Another goal arrived after the break to complete a routine win for the Reds.

Parkinson said he would ring the changes after three tough League Two games in the space of eight days and he was true to his word.

The Wrexham boss named a completely different starting XI to the side that began Saturday's 1-0 at Crawley which took the Reds up to seventh in the table, four points off top spot.

Taking the chance to utilise his squad and rest players, it was still a strong side with a debut for goalkeeper Luke McNicholas, who joined on a short-term contract from League of Ireland Premier Division side Sligo Rovers in August.

Midfielder Andy Cannon, sent off minutes after coming on as substitute at Crawley, is eligible for the EFL Trophy and started in midfield while wing-back Ryan Barnett, also currently banned from League Two action, was on an otherwise young bench.

Wrexham got off to the best possible start by taking a fifth minute lead.

Although a corner was cleared, Jordan Davies put the ball back into the danger zone where Will Boyle and Jordan Tunnicliffe went to meet it but Crewe defender Lewis Billington put through his own net.

The home side responded with Joe White's low drive but McNicholas was equal to the task as he made a smart save, and Wrexham made it 2-0 after 13 minutes.

Jake Bickerstaff laid off to Davies who ran at goal and slotted past keeper Tom Booth.

There a superb chance for Wrexham to go further ahead when Max Cleworth got on the end of captain Luke Young's free-kick but his volley was blocked by keeper Booth.

Elliott Nevitt headed wide at the other end but Wrexham came even closer when Bickerstaff raced clear and saw his low drive kept out by Booth.

The first half ended with McNicholas making a comfortable save to thwart White and although Crewe came out fired up after the break, solid defending kept the home side at bay.

It was Wrexham who looked more likely to score as a snap-shot from Davies on the turn from just inside the area was brilliantly turned over the bar by Booth.

The Reds made sure of victory by going 3-0 up after 73 minutes.

Bickerstaff raced into the area and was brought down by Luke Offord who was shown a straight red card.

Young took the penalty and made no mistake to put the game out of Crewe's reach.

That proved to be the final nail in the coffin and there was no way back after that.

Crewe (5-3-2): Booth; Rowe, Billington, Offord, Williams (Robinson 81), Finney; Agius, Lunt, Colkett; Nevitt, White (Nolan 74). Subs not used: Davies, Adebisi, Baker-Richardson, Tracey, Powell.

Wrexham (5-3-2): McNicholas; Hosannah, Tunnicliffe, Cleworth, Boyle, McAlinden; Cannon, Young, Jordan Davies (James 85); Dalby (Ashfield 89) Bickerstaff. Subs not used: Hall, Barnett, Dan Davies, Cushion, Edwards.

Attendance: 3,751 (1,644 from Wrexham).