Lee Bell hails Charlie McNeill wonder goal as Crewe progress in FA Cup

Lee Bell saluted Charlie McNeill’s “best goal of the day” which launched Crewe to a hard-fought 2-1 FA Cup first-round win over AFC Wimbledon.

The Sheffield Wednesday loanee was on target for the third time for the Railwaymen with a sublime finish, driven over Dons keeper Josef Bursik’s head from the halfway line.

McNeill followed up that 12th-minute effort by setting up Conor Thomas for Crewe’s second after the break (60). His powerful free-kick was only parried by Bursik, leaving Thomas to head home.

Despite a strong finish from the League One outfit – who are now without a win in 10 games – their League Two opponents hung on to take their place in the second round draw.

“When Charlie was about to hit it I thought there was a runner (for him), but it was a brilliant strike and it shows the confidence he has got in himself,” said Crewe manager Bell.

“His all-round game was much better today with his link-up play and some nice little touches. It’s probably the best goal we’ll see today.

“It was an outstanding performance, we were really good and we stood up to what they threw at us brilliantly. Hopefully we’ll get another home tie in the second round.”

Dons substitute Andy Yiadom cut the arrears eight minutes from time with a thumping effort into the bottom corner.

However, AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson felt Steve Seddon’s disallowed effort, bundled in from a corner just before half-time, should also have stood as he felt Crewe keeper Ian Lawlor was impeded by one of his own team-mates.

Jackson said: “We were on top at the start of the game but Crewe got a wonder goal from nowhere and got some momentum. We were at it at the start of the second half and then their second goal was probably offside.

“But we didn’t have enough quality for all our territory. We had 19 shots but we’ve not tested the keeper enough. It probably feels like a poor performance because we’re out of the cup.”