Simon Davey's side, who beat Premier League Liverpool and Chelsea on their way to the FA Cup semi-finals, started in lacklustre fashion and the Railwaymen were rewarded for their early endeavours with a goal after 12 minutes.

Darren Moore was the man at fault, felling striker Tom Pope in the box. The referee pointed straight to the spot and O'Connor made no mistake with his fierce shot.

Diego Leon almost pulled the Tykes level three minutes later, but goalkeeper Steve Collis managed to push his free-kick onto the crossbar.

Leon continued to worry the home defence and almost gained parity on the half-hour mark when he met Martin Devaney's cross at the far post with a well-struck volley which whistled wide of the net.

But Crewe were handed another penalty in the 36th minute.

This time Byron Moore was brought down by Rob Kozluk, leaving Elding to drill the spot-kick home.

Devaney cut inside Billy Jones, but was denied by Collis and Dennis Souza headed over as the Tykes tried to get back into the game.

Some superb last-ditch defending denied Leon again after the break before Collis dived low to keep out his follow-up shot.

Crewe Alexandra: Collis, Woodards, Jones, Baudet, McCready, Moore, O'Connor, Bailey, Grant (Schumacher 73), Elding, Pope. Unused substitutes: Legzdins, O'Donnell, Abbey, Miller, Daniel, Clements.

Barnsley: Steele, Foster, Moore, Guedes, Kozluk (Mostto 82), Devaney, Hassell (Macken 63), Howard, Leon, Hume, Rigters (Odejayi 69). Unused substitutes: Letheren, Butterfield, Atkinson, Adam.

Referee: A Taylor (Greater Manchester).