Grayson named an unchanged side to that which started away at Peterborough. This was somewhat surprising given that Humphrey and Hume were both on international duty but the pair were both given permission to play.
The line up means that Preston are likely to face a fine for their midweek line up in the Football League Trophy as their side was not picked in accordance with the stringent rules.
Preston, the first ten minutes apart, played poorly and did not deserve anything from this game. It may have been different if Preston had got an early goal as Crewe are always susceptible with a poor defensive record.
Laird had a shot well saved int he opneing minutes and just after Hume hit a curling shot against the bar. It looked like Preston would dominate but after the opening exchanges they tailed away.
Crewe rarely ventured forward giving Preston the majority of the possession. The visitors had only scored one league away goal prior to Saturday and had one of the poorest defensive records in the football league.
The visitors took the lead on the break in the first half. It was the only attack of the half but a well executed finish by Moore who beat the defender and slid past the keeper.
The second half was much of the same. Preston seemed to sit off Crewe and not press. The lead was doubled with a sublime curling finish from outside the box by Inman. Again he was allowed time and space to finish but there was no denying the quality.
North End made changes with Holmes coming on for Humphrey whilst Brownhill was given an opportunity. The home side pressured but could not pull anything back.
Crewe hit the bar in what was probably their third attack of the game which just about summed up the match as a whole. Preston were lacklustre whilst Crewe were clinical and made it difficult for a Preston side lacking ideas.
Preston stay in fifth but drift further away from the leaders Leyton Orient and Peterborough who both won at the weekend. Prestonm need to halt this slide soon before they get into the usual winter rut.