At a rain sodden Weaver Stadium Crewe came away with a 1-1 draw against near neighbours Nantwich Town thanks to a goal from Clayton Donaldson in the 14th minute.
Donaldson netted an equaliser after former Crewe trainee Ashley Carter had netted for the Dabbers within the first 10 minutes.
Crewe gave trails to Craig Rocastle, Adam Nowland and Faroe International Jonas Tor Naes all who failed to impress during the 45 minutes they where on the pitch.
Shaun Miller nearly snatched a winner in the dying minutes when his strike struck the post and rolled along the goal mouth.
Nantwich Town: Lee Jones, Jake Sedgemore, Chris Shaw (Rob Hawthorne), Chris Flynn, Ritchie Sutton, Dave MacPherson, Shane Tudor (Nathan Southern), Glyn Blackhurst, Matt Rhead, Omar Mahmood, Ash Carter.
Crewe Alexandra first half: Steve Collis, John Brayford, Billy Jones, Steve Schumacher, Mat-Mitchel-King, Patrick Ada, Danny O'Donnell, Clayton Donaldson, Anthony Elding, Calvin Zola, Joel Grant
Crewe Alexandra second half: Adam Legzdins, Jonas Tor Naes, James Bailey, Mat Mitchel-King (Matt Tootle), Danny O'Donnell, Adam Nowland, Craig Rocastle, Byron Moore, Ashley Westwood, Shaun Miller, Luke Murphy
Crowd :- 1,022.