Crewe fight back from early deficit to aid survival fight
Crewe collected another valuable point in their fight for League One survival after coming from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Rochdale.
They looked in trouble just six minutes into the match as the home side tore out of the blocks with two quickfire goals.
Rochdale were ahead after just 90 seconds. Nathaniel Mendez-Laing beat Zoumana Bakayogo on the right and sent over a deep cross which Rhys Bennett met with a firm header, his effort looping over Ben Garratt and into the net.
And Dale's sizzling start continued when Bennett dispossessed Oliver Turton and fed Ian Henderson, his low cross turned in by Joe Bunney from close range just six minutes in.
But Crewe showed no signs of crumbling and forced their way back into the game.
Josh Lillis was down quickly to keep out a Ryan Seagar shot but was powerless on 24 minutes when Marcus Haber was quick to pounce on Ben Nugent's flick-on, turning the ball past the Dale goalkeeper from all of three yards.
And the visitors were deservedly level on 27 minutes when Brad Inman collected David Fox's threaded pass and pulled the ball back for Seager to stroke home from the edge of the six-yard area.
Crewe's momentum was slowed when they lost Seager to a nasty looking injury and Dale came back into the game, with Bunney seeing a shot blocked and Michael Rose firing into the side netting before the break.
Haber headed a clear chance over the bar at the start of the second half but defences were on top throughout the second period.
Source: PA
