Shrewsbury responded to their FA Cup defeat to Chelsea by claiming a victory over Second Division Crewe and earning a place in the Northern final of the LDV Vans Trophy.

The Shrews lost 2-0 to Claudio Ranieri's Chelsea at Gay Meadow on Sunday, but they outclassed the Alex with a superb display.

Veteran Nigel Jemson fired the home side into a 28th-minute lead after a mistake by David Vaughan.

And Ryan Lowe then doubled the advantage two minutes after the break.

Striker Rob Hulse gave Crewe hope when he claimed his 23rd goal of the season 10 minutes later.

But Lowe's second goal, quickly followed by Luke Rodgers' strike, gave Shrewsbury an unassailable 4-1 lead.

Dean Ashton pulled another goal back for Dario Gradi's team in the 81stminute, but it was no more than a consolation as the Division Two outfit crashed out.

Shrewsbury: Dunbavin, Moss, Redmile, Artell, Smith, Murray, Lowe, Glenn Tolley, Woan, Rodgers, Jemson. Subs: Aiston, Kendall, Wilding, Jagielka, Drysdale.

Crewe: Bankole, Sodje, Walker, Foster, Tierney, Rix, Lunt, Sorvel, Vaughan, Hulse, Ashton. Subs: Tomlinson, Wright, Brammer, Jones, Bell.

Referee: A Leake (Lancashire).