Luca Moore needed just eight minutes to settle a tense Carabao Cup tie at Gresty Road. The midfielder came on with Crewe Alexandra level and delivered the decisive strike to seal a 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley.
Moore's impact was immediate. Within moments of entering the pitch, he found space and converted what proved to be the winner, earning a 7.7 match rating for his brief but decisive contribution. It was the sort of intervention managers dream about when looking to their bench.
When a spark is all you need
Crewe had struggled to break down their visitors for much of the contest, but Moore's arrival changed the dynamic. His fresh legs and composure in the final third gave the hosts a new dimension, and he capitalised on the opportunity with clinical efficiency.
Accrington will rue their inability to hold on. They had matched Crewe for long stretches but found themselves undone by a substitute who made every second count. For Crewe, it's a reminder that depth can be just as valuable as a strong starting eleven, particularly in cup competition where margins are razor-thin and one moment can separate progress from an early exit.