It was pretty much one-way traffic all afternoon but Kenny Jackett's men couldn't break down the resilient Railwaymen.
It was the visitors that started brightest with the lively Shaun Miller having the best chance of the game inside five minutes.
The loan striker got in behind Tony Craig down the Lions left before flashing a dangerous low shot across the face of goal with Joel Grant unable to get on the end of it.
Tresor Kandol and record hunting Neil Harris came close within 60 seconds of each other on 15 minutes. Kandol's shot on the turn was straight at Stuart Tomlinson while Harris forced a brilliant save from the Crewe shot-stopper when his effort appeared to be destined for the top corner.
Centre-half Danny O'Donnell turned Andy Frampton's low cross towards his own goal and forced a smart reaction save out of Tomlinson on the half-hour mark.
Industrious John Brayford watched his crashing volley whistle inches over the bar just before the break when he latched onto a loose ball on the edge of the Lions box.
It was a slow and laboured start to the second half with Crewe happy to hang on as the Lions continued to ask questions of Dario Gradi defence.
Dave Martin almost stole onto the end of substitute Ashley Grimes' hopeful cross from the right but the busy Tomlinson raced off his line to collect at his feet.
The game petered out frustratingly with Gary Alexander's downward header on 73 minutes, the closest the hosts coming to putting a smile on the 9,000 strong crowd.
Grimes teed up Martin for a crashing drive late on from the edge of the box that flew well over when the young striker was better placed himself.