Everton knuckles rapped by Crewe

Dario Gradi's post-match analysis yesterday served as the ultimate indictment of Everton's sinking season. Having watched his admirable young side hold Premiership opponents to a draw away from home, Gradi should have been happy.

Instead, he felt disappointed. He said: 'Everton closed us down and made it hard for us to play. All credit to them for that. But I am disappointed that we haven't managed to play the way I wanted us to.' Crewe were right to be disappointed. It was the team from the bottom end of the First Division who created the better chances.

Everton were woeful and had it not been for the crossbar, Walter Smith's team would now be reflecting on their exit from the competition. Rob Hulse's half-volley was looping in to the roof of the net after he stretched to reach David Wright's cross in the 74th minute, only for the ball to graze the frame of the goal and drop to safety.

If Everton are to survive a Gresty Road replay they will have to make a dramatic improvement.

Smith believes some of his team's problems come courtesy of an injury list that has robbed many of consistent form and fitness. An alternative view is simply that they are not good enough.

The fading talents of David Ginola have been recruited to try to bring some spark to Everton's attacking efforts and the Frenchman was central to most, if not all, of his team's brighter moments. It was Ginola's cross that struck Neil Sorvel on the arm in the second half and that unsuccessful claim for a penalty was as close as Everton came to a chance.

Crewe's Dean Ashton drifted two headers perilously close, but all Everton could manage was a weak shot from Scot Gemmill and a header from Alan Stubbs.