DARIO GRADI failed to mastermind an FA Cup giantkilling win over the team he once managed last night and it is Wimbledon who will meet Manchester United in the fourth round at Old Trafford on Saturday.

The failure of Gradi's Crewe side to capitalise on some early chances proved fatal as Wimbeldon slowly but surely made the gap in class tell.

In the seventh minute a Bergkamp-style drag-back by Adebola propelled Crewe's leading scorer past Blackwell near the right by-line. But unfortunately for Murphy, waiting unmarked in front of Wimbledon's goal, Adebola made a very unBergkamp pig's ear of the cross.

A minute later Little actually got the ball in the Wimbledon net only to see the flag up for offside. Shortly after a mistake by McAllister let in Little for a 12-yard shot which Sullivan did well to scramble round the post low down to his left.

Unfortunately for Gradi's brave adventurers Wimbledon went and scored in the middle of all this. Jones' trademark long throw swung into the area; Billing, only in the side because of injury, missed his clearance, and Earle pounced on the ball to volley past Kearton from 12 yards.

Crewe's tale of woe was increased when Wimbledon struck 13 seconds after half-time. The ball fell to Leonhardsen who broke down the left, crossed from the by-line and Holdsworth, darting in front of the covering defender, flashed the ball past Kearton from close range.