England Under-18 international Nick Powell produced a moment of magic to set Crewe on the road to a 2-0 npower League Two play-off triumph against Cheltenham.
Powell - one of nine products from the famous Gresty Road academy in Steve Davis' starting line-up - is reportedly the subject of transfer interest from host of Barclays Premier League clubs, and his spectacular turn and shot after a quarter of an hour will have done his prospects of a big-money move little harm.
Alex made sure of promotion after three seasons in the fourth tier when Byron Moore opened up a flagging Robins backline eight minutes from time.
But Crewe were made to work hard in blistering temperatures before chalking up a 19th game without defeat.
Jeff Goulding almost had Cheltenham back on terms when he rattled the crossbar moments after Powell's opener, before Alex somehow survived an onslaught of set-piece pressure on the stroke of the interval.
Mark Yates' men failed to maintain the charge in the closing stages as the succumbed to a first play-off defeat in their history.
Crewe boss Steve Davis admitted Powell's Wembley wonder-goal was probably his parting gift to the club.
Davis said: "We've not had any solid offers but I think it will come. Next week we may see something develop."
"I've said all season he's a huge talent," added Davis. "He's a special player who produces special things, he's a big-game player. He's done that many times this season and that was his 16th goal.
"I think he can go to the Premier League, he's a very capable lad."
For Cheltenham, who finished five points ahead of their opponents, another season in the basement division beckons.
"That's life," said manager Mark Yates. "They scored two and we didn't.
"One was a wonder-strike from a prodigious talent that you can't do anything about.
"Then we created chance after chance, but when we had two in 10 seconds cleared off the line it probably wasn't going to be our day. But I'm very proud."
