Crewe Alexandra's youth team were back in action over the weekend for their first game since their Christmas break and fought out for a dramatic point against the current table toppers Manchester City after twice going behind and missing a penalty.

During the first 45 minutes Crewe were certainly the team on top and looked in good form taking just 6 minutes to create a threat in the City box, although it wasn't a big enough threat to change the score line early on. Luke Murphy put a great ball downfield to Ben McHugh who set Ben Marshall up with a great chance in the box, but he couldn't find Josh Thompson to convert it. Marshall was presented with another great chance not long after as his 25 yard shot hit the post.

It was just a minute later and City were on the attack after a free kick was conceded just outside the box. A well stood wall blocked the initial shot and Murphy cleared the ball from any danger. The game went on in a similar stance, with both teams having the chances to take the lead, and just before 15 minutes of play had passed, further good play from midfielder Murphy and Matt Lund put the ball in the path of AJ Leitch-Smith who was faced in a one-on-one situation with the City keeper but saw his shot saved by the young stoppers body. The visitors were not put down though and fought back with a shot at the other end of the pitch that went wide.

The Crewe youngsters were standing well against one of the best teams in the League and on the stroke of half an hour won a deep free kick, which was taken by Matt Tootle. Chris Clements picked it up in the box and had a great chance for the home side. Not long after Crewe were awarded a penalty after Josh Thomson was tackled in the box by Man City's goalkeeper. It was the perfect chance for Crewe to put themselves 1-0 up, but it just wasn't the day for Chris Clements, normally so good at putting penalties away, as he saw his strike saved and City were back in the game.

The chances were happening at both ends of the pitch, but despite the play neither side was taking advantage of what saw some very good chances. Ben McHugh kept Crewe in the game at one point chasing down City's man as he ran down and across field, not allowing them to take full advantage of a chance that could have given them the lead. With half time approaching McHugh again did well for Crewe, putting in a great ball for Leitch-Smith from the wing, as he made space for himself in the box. Despite his best efforts though, it wasn't enough to hit the back of the net. Just as the whistle was to be blown, City tried to take advantage of the timing but couldn't pull off a shot good enough to be on target and the ball shot inches wide.

The second half brought out a mentally different side for City and from the kick off they were applying the pressure on the Crewe youngsters. Just minutes into the second half and they were very nearly in the lead, but for defender Tom Lappin to clear the shot off the line. The visitors had a clear advantage having no less than 3 corners in the space of 5 minutes, but they couldn't do enough to beat Crewe in their own box.

Upon the hour mark, clearly the best chance of the game so far came about for Leitch-Smith as Josh Thompson took the brave decision to tackle the visiting keeper outside of his box and as AJ picked up the ball he had an open net to shoot at from 20 yards. He just couldn't get the direction on it though and it unfortunately rolled wide. It was only a minute later though and the Manchester outfit were in the lead for the first time. A defensive mistake from Matt Lund lead to the first goal of the game, as he tried to prevent City from receiving the ball he in fact did the opposite and headed the ball down into the path of the waiting man who wasted no time in shooting and changing that 0-0 score line. The goal seemed to have given them a boost as they continued to make attempts on goal, having plenty of shots saved by Crewe's stopper Daniel Platt, who was having a fantastic game and pulling off some great saves any first team keeper would be proud of. One of those including a double save as City had a stack of men in the box; Platt saved their initial shot and was quick and back on his feet to save the rebound too. Some fantastic goalkeeping.

With 15 minutes remaining James Collins made a tactical change by bringing on Alex Titchener, and  just seconds after coming on he scored the first equaliser. A good ball forward from Leitch-Smith found Titchener on the edge of the box and he coolly avoided the diving keeper and slotted it into the back of the net for his first goal this season. It didn't last long though as it was then that the goals game, five minutes later City were back in the lead after another mistake from Crewe. A pass down the by-line wasn't successfully cleared by Clements, and the visitors took good advantage of it and beat keeper Platt for their second goal of the game.

The Manchester youngsters were back on top and with just over five minutes of the game remaining did some good play, picking the ball up from midfield, taking it into the box and sending a shot wide. Unfortunate circumstances after having got the better of the Crewe boys at that time.

The game was far from over though, as Crewe continued to push on for another equalising goal, Thompson again using the pace of Titchener putting the youngster into the box with a good ball, but the goal scorer couldn't find a second and much to the striker's frustration his shot went wide.

As the final whistle approached, you knew there was another goal to come from the home side and Tom Lappin duly delivered with an 87^th minute equaliser as Crewe came from behind once again. The action all started from a free kick won by Leitch-Smith, as a mound of balls were crossed in no head could successfully connect with the ball, but it was substitute Charlie Ager that sent the ball down to Clements who crossed it again into the box and this time there was nothing the keeper could do to stop it going in. A giant leap from Tom Lappin saw him tower above all City players and head in that all important last minute goal. The joy was evident on the team's faces as Lappin was mobbed inside the goal.

A dramatic game, that really could have gone either way, Crewe were by no means behind a side that have lost just one game all season, proving to all that they can be a match for anyone.

Team: Daniel Platt, Ben McHugh, Matt Tootle, Matt Lund (Alex Titchener), Nathan Bancroft, Tom Lappin, Ben Marshall (Charlie Ager), Luke Murphy, Josh Thompson, AJ Leitch-Smith, Chris Clements