Midway through the second half, Bob Taylor thought he had scored the equaliser for Brentford but his shot was saved by Crewe goalkeeper Jason Kearton.

Dele Adebola's shot hit the crossbar of the Brentford goal and two attempts from Colin Little were stopped on the Crewe goal-line by Carl Hutchings.

Crewe ended their next season in eleventh position in the First Division, five places and fifteen points below the play-offs.

Brentford finished eight points behind Stockport County (who were promoted in second place) and ten behind league winners Bury.

Smith then scored midway through the second half to make it 2–2 on the evening, and ensure Crewe's progression to the final with a 4–3 aggregate victory.

Taylor scored midway through the half, however, and with eleven minutes remaining, Marcus Bent added a second to make it 2–1 to the visitors, who won the tie 4–2 on aggregate.

[5] During the regular 1996–97 season, Crewe won both games between the side, with 2–0 victories at Gresty Road in October 1996 and at Griffin Park the following April.

Three minutes later, Steve Macauley passed Murphy's cross to Shaun Smith who struck from close range to make it 1–0 to Crewe.

Midway through the second half, Taylor thought he had scored the equaliser for Brentford with a low strike and began to celebrate only to see his shot saved by Crewe goalkeeper Jason Kearton.

Two attempts from Little, including one in the last minute of the match, were stopped on the Crewe goal-line by Carl Hutchings.

[16] He was replaced by Eddie May whose reign lasted until November 1997, when both he and Webb left the club after they had dropped from third in the league to bottom.

[17][18] Crewe ended their next season in eleventh position in the First Division, five places and fifteen points below the play-offs.