Crewe Alexandra 0 Carlisle United 5: Carlisle United made a stunning return to winning form with an impressive 5-0 thrashing of Crewe.

Captain Danny Grainger led the way with two goals, Reggie Lambe and sub Hallam Hope were also on target - and ex-Blues defender Michael Raynes put through his own goal.

It was Carlisle's biggest win since the last day of the 2015/16 season at Notts County - and a first win in six lifted them to 15th in League Two.

It also marked a successful start for Clint Hill, as the veteran new signing enjoyed a solid debut at the back.

Skipper Grainger got Keith Curle's side off and running in the 13th minute when he ran onto a Mike Jones pass and fired a low shot past home keeper Ben Garratt from outside the box.

That saw United on top and increasingly in command against David Artell's hosts in front of 662 vocal travelling fans in a 4,021 crowd.

With Hill replacing Mark Ellis in the starting line-up, and Nicky Adams taking Hope's place, Carlisle caused Crewe further problems in their 4-3-2-1 system.

Grainger shot narrowly wide after Hill headed a corner into his path, while Shaun Miller went close with a header against his former club.

Crewe offered little to seriously threaten Shamal George in Carlisle's goal, Chris Porter and Eddie Nolan giving the keeper routine saves.

After the break, Carlisle then cut loose - first in the 48th minute, when Raynes brought down Lambe, and Grainger made no mistake from the penalty spot.

Miller and Lambe went close as United increasingly dominated the beleaguered Railwaymen, their midfielders comfortably on top.

It was then three on 72 minutes when Grainger's inswinging corner was met by Raynes, who diverted the ball into his own net.

Two minutes later, Lambe swept onto a pass from sub Jamie Devitt and clipped confidently home.

United's fans were in jubilant voice as they hailed the much-needed performance, and also taunted Raynes.

Lambe hit the post with another low shot, while a rare attempt on goal from Callum Ainley brought ironic cheers from the home fans.

Lambe got back well to tackle Chris Dagnall in the Blues box, Ainley shot over in injury-time - and then, with the last move of the game, sub Hope got the better of a defensive mix-up to run through and confidently slot past Garratt to make it five.

Kelvin Etuhu, impressive in midfield, came off in the 68th minute with cramp.

Jason Kennedy was not included in the squad with Curle saying the midfielder has not yet been able to train at 100 per cent and would benefit from a short rest.

He could come back into consideration for Tuesday's home clash with Stevenage.

Crewe: Garratt, Walker (Pickering 46), Raynes, Nolan, Wintle (Stubbs 59), Ainley, Lowery, Grant (Dale 58), Cooper, Dagnall, Porter. Not used: Richards, Bakayogo, Bowery, Kirk.

United: George, Brown (T Miller 78), Grainger, Parkes, Hill, Jones, Joyce, Etuhu (Devitt 68), Adams, Lambe, S Miller (Hope 77). Not used: Bonham, Liddle, Bennett, Ellis.