POINT

PROVEN

by TOBY ROBINSON

vTOBY ROBINSON

WITH a point to prove after last week's opener, a big improvement saw Crewe take a hard-earned one out of Saturday's clash.

Alex boss Dario Gradi sprang a surprise on the team sheet by handing U17's starlet David Vaughan his debut against Graeme Souness's title favourites.

A minute's silence was impeccably observed for the late Jack Walker before an amazing start at the Alexandra Stadium.

Within seconds Dunn came close for the visitors after a blistering run but almost immediately Crewe received the best chance of the game.

Good work from Rivers and Lunt allowed Wright to put in an excellent cross for Little and his powerful header was only denied by a spectacular stop by Kelly.

Blackburn began to boss proceedings from that point but for all their possession they posed Kearton little threat as Crewe's rearguard coped well.

In his home bow, Sodje in particular was again impressive dealing with the threat of Nathan Blake admirably.

Half-chances for Jansen and a diving header from Duff were well wide of the target before Kearton dealt with a number of free-kicks to end a scrappy first half.

After the interval Crewe started brightly with Jack and Street on for Tait and Vaughan and their improved passing forced the visitors to chase more.

Back from international duty, the St Vincent forward made an instant impact, ending a pacey run down the right with a squared ball that Rivers just failed to reach.

Wright's long free-kick put Kelly under pressure to punch away any danger from the advancing Crewe forwards before another dead ball situation gave Alex fans cause for concern.

Blackburn looked to have gained the advantage on 68 minutes as Duff buried a free-kick into the top corner but celebrations ceased as the official indicated it had been indirect.

Tempers began to flare as Sodje was forced off the field through injury before Crewe endured disappointment.

Rivers burst down the right and threaded a ball through to Jack that he smashed home only for it to ruled out for off-side.

The visitors had the better of the later stages as Jensen hit the bar but Crewe were well worthy to pick up their first point of the season.

Crewe: Kearton, Wright, Smith, Macauley, Sodje (Foster 70), Lunt, Sorvel, Vaughan (Jack 46), Little, Tait (Street 46), Rivers. Subs not used: Grant, Bankole. Att-7,500.

Converted for the new archive on 13 March 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.