JOEL Porter sat out Hartlepool United's trip to Crewe – the top scorer suffering from a groin strain.

He was replaced by Daniel Nardiello, who started up front with Keigan Parker.

Ritchie Humphreys was also left out, with Joe Scarz handed a first start at left-back and in goal, Jan Budtz kept his place ahead of Arran Lee-Barrett.

CREWE: Ruddy; Woodwards, Baudet, Lawrence, Jones, McManus, Brayford, Broomes, Sigurdsson, Donaldson, Zola. Subs: Collis (gk), Grant, Moore, Pope, Bailey.

HARTLEPOOL UNITED: Budtz; Liddle, Collins, Nelson, Scarz; Jones, Clark, Sweeney, Monkhouse, Parker, Nardiello. Subs: Lee-Barrett, McCunnie, Humphreys, Mackay, Robson.

Referee: Gary Scott (Oxford)