Barnsley crashed out of the League Cup as they were beaten at home to Crewe Alexandra in the first round.

 

The Reds created far more chances than in the opening day loss to Crawley three days earlier but lacked a clinical edge and conceded poor goals. Billy Waters gave the visitors - managed by former Barnsley star Steve Davis – the lead on 32 minutes then captain Matt Tootle secured the win with five minutes left.

 

Dale Jennings was suspended while Luke Berry dropped to the bench and neither Joe Dudgeon or Danny Rose were in the squad. First time starter James Bree, 16, and Reuben Noble-Lazarus came in as wing-backs either side of central defenders Lewin Nyatanga, Martin Cranie and Reece Brown. Keith Treacy made his first start in front of James Bailey and Conor Hourihane while debutant Leroy Lita partnered Sam Winnall up front.

Hourihane forced a good save with a powerful volley then slipped in Winnall who fired wide when clean through. Crewe's Billy Waters scuffed a glorious chance when unmarked in the six-yard box then put another good opportunity into the side netting.

Cranie headed a fantastic chance over the bar then Crewe scored a minute later as Waters reacted quicker than a leaden Reds defence to divert Liam Nolan's cross into the net.

 

Winnall had two fine chances after the break as he headed too close to the goalkeeper when clear in front of goal then fired over after a knockdown by Jean Yves M'voto who came on as a striker.

 

Tootle then made it 2-0 on a counter-attack with a good finish from the right side of the penalty box.

 

Team: Davies; Bree, Brown, Nyatanga, Cranie, Noble-Lazarus (Nana 87), Treacy (M'voto 76), Hourihane, Bailey, Winnall, Lita (McHale, 61).