GARETH Ainsworth hailed a thoroughly professional performance from Wanderers as they booked their place in the second round of The FA Cup last night.

Blues cruised through their first round replay at Crewe as second half goals from Steven Craig and Gary Doherty set up a tie against Ainsworth's former club Preston North End.

The Blues boss threatened to ring the changes off the back of a poor showing against Cheltenham on Saturday, and he said the three new faces he brought in made the difference.

He said: "The players who've been out the team who came in the team took their chances and took them well, and given me options and more ways to play. I'm very proud of the commitment over the last two days the lads have shown me.

"I'm very proud to have bounced back the way we have after Saturday. The way we set up and prepared for this game, it was a very professional performance by every single player on the pitch and off it. Everyone has treated this game with the utmost professionalism and it's paid off. We thoroughly deserved our win today.

"First half was much of a muchness and we had slightly the better of it. Second half was all us up to the last couple of minutes when they had a couple of chances. I thought we did really well.

"We wanted that second goal, we got that. The clean sheet is very important as well, we haven't had one since Bristol Rovers."

Looking ahead to the next round, Ainsworth added: "Talking about the biggest tie we could have in the second round, I'm not sure there's a bigger one for me. It's the club I played over 100 games for in three different spells. It's a really special one.

"The FA Cup is a tournament I hold in high prestige. I remember sitting at home the first weekend in May with mum and dad waiting for the telly to cover the build up [to the final]. The FA Cup is special so to get through to the next round, especially facing Preston North End, is doubly special for me."