CREWE'S never-say-die spirit shone through as they somehow avoided defeat against a resurgent Elworth.

Last pair David Hurst and Martin Webb proved real heroes in a cracking derby at the Vagrants, last Saturday.

The visitors must still be wondering how they didn't make it three wins on the bounce with Crewe on the ropes at 109-9.

But take nothing away from Hurst and Webb who somehow mustered a gutsy stand of 42 to see out the remaining overs and earn extra batting points.

Inserted, Elworth had fought their way to a total of 181 - largely due to some solid knocks down the order.

Openers Kevin Underwood and Pete Davis made a reasonable start before Tom Gower made the initial breakthrough, clean bowling Davis for 11.

Improving professional Ranger (26) joined Underwood (25) with the two looking well set until Gower (3-19) capped his impressive spell.

Both batsmen fell in quick succession as 63-1 became 68-3 and Elworth were wobbling.

Crewe pro Ranadeb Bose got to work and kept any fightback in check as wickets fell regularly.

Dave Palin (15), Rob Beech (14) and Alan Wright (14) all made starts but the visitors were firmly in trouble at 108-6.

Frustration for the hosts followed as Tarek Alam (34) and Matthew Buckley turned the game with a seventh-wicket stand of 54.

Mike Holt finally ended the partnership but Buckley went on to hit an unbeaten 33 as Elworth posted 181 - not bad from where they were.

Bose returned his best figures for Crewe with 5-76 while Holt also snapped up 2-17.

With 58 overs to go, both sides would have fancied the victory but Elworth soon made themselves firm favourites.

Martin Page was gone for just four as Buckley struck and things quickly got worse when Mark Hurst also fell to Paul Crompton, leaving the hosts in deep trouble at 17-2.

Veteran spinner Jim Higgins got in on the act and Richard Marsh didn't last long while Bose (19) and Gower (16) tried to get Crewe out of a huge hole.

When Holt became the spinner's third victim, defeat loomed at 55-6.

However the experienced Mark Spencer and Matt Dawson finally offered some resistance, batting for over an hour together in a stand of 41.

Crompton (3-61) revived Elworth hopes by removing Dawson's stumps after a gutsy innings of 23 and when Spencer followed, the writing was on the wall.

Buckley (2-30) ended his vigil, a fine 28, while Lange went for a duck to leave Crewe on 109-9 and a dicey 12 overs still to face.

Elworth must have thought the points were in the bag but David Hurst and Webb staged a courageous escape.

Higgins and co just couldn't get that final wicket as Hurst stood strong in his unbeaten 11 while Webb smashed 3 fours and a six in a stunning 21 not out.

Excellent work to ensure the draw, meaning both sides claimed nine points.

Crewe need a return to winning ways at Sandyford on Saturday.

Elworth face a tougher task as they visit second-placed Cheadle.