Another sound defensive display from Crewe Alexandra saw them pick up a point at the Don Valley Stadium. The match was spoilt by a torrential downpour here in Sheffield and left the playing surface in a mess during the second half. Saying that in the first half, when it was considerably drier, the Alex did create the better of the chances to claim all three points. Luke Murphy forced Rotherham United's goalkeeper Andy Warrington into a smart save with a downward header and Clayton Donaldson hit the underside of the bar as Crewe pressed for a break through.

Late on, right-back Ashley Westwood forced Warrington into a tip over but that break through never came. Rotherham needed the point they needed to secure their play-off place.

With Dario Gradi away on scouting duties, first team duties were handed to his assistant Steve Davis for the tough trip to face Ronnie Moore's promotion seekers.

After overcoming a shin and calf injury, James Bailey returned to the Crewe Alexandra starting line-up this afternoon. The Macclesfield-born youngster replaced Danny Shelley for the club's first ever trip to the Don Valley Stadium in Sheffield. Steven Schumacher was named on the substitutes' bench after overcoming a recent groin strain.

Rotherham made all the early running and after Patrick Ada had tussled with Marcus Marshall inside the penalty area, the home side created the first chance on goal from the resultant corner. Adam Legzdins was alert enough to push Kevin Ellison's drive away and was then up to catch Gavin Gunning's header when the ball was clipped back into a crowded box.

The Millers were even closer to taking the lead after just 5 minutes when midfielder Nicky Law looped a cross from Josh Walker onto Legzdins crossbar.Thankfully, for Crewe it bounced kindly in our direction and Ashley Westwood, playing right-back was able to complete the clearance up field.

It took Crewe Alexandra over 10 minutes to see its front three of Zola, Donaldson and Grant combine. Zola won the flick on to release Donaldson to the edge of the Rotherham United penalty area but his instant flick towards Grant was well read by Rotherham's captain Ian Sharps and he was able to intervene.

On 15 minutes, Crewe conjured up their best chance of the game. Zola latched onto a long ball from Simon Walton in the right hand channel and his clever ball found the supportive Luke Murphy in an advanced position. Murphy's low ball into the six-yard box was poked just wide of the target by Donaldson. It was a much better move from the Railwaymen.

After a slow start to the game, Crewe settled into it and restricted Rotherham to hitting rather direct and aimless passes up field. It led to the home crowd venturing their frustration.Crewe were beginning to press forward a lot more, with Grant having a fierce shot blocked and Zola just failing to reach a far post cross from Bailey. Rotherham needed their influential captain Sharps to prevent Donaldson from really testing the Millers goalkeeper Andy Warrington. He got across superbly to apply a block on Donaldson's shot after he tricked his way past Nick Fenton.

Just before the half an hour mark, Donaldson could not have come any closer to putting Crewe ahead. His well struck shot hit the underside of the Rotherham crossbar and bounced up and out. Zola couldn't generate enough power with his follow up header to trouble Warrington. Donaldson was awfully unlucky with the ball inches from fully crossing the line.

It was Crewe still creating the better chances. On 34 minutes, Donaldson collected a header forward from full-back Westwood and clipped a cross into Zola. Under pressure from Sharps the ball looped into air and invitingly towards the onrushing Murphy. The midfielder directed his header downwards but the Millers keeper Warrington did exceedingly well to get his hand to it and push it away from danger.It had been another great chance to take the lead against a side desperate for a point to secure their play-off place.

The Alex continued to be on top and that continuously frustrated the home contingent. They were not amused with their direct style of play in the first half. Crewe enjoyed the better of the first half but couldn't find that breakthrough they probably deserved over the balance of play.

The only sight of goal Adam Le Fondre had was in stoppage time but he could only harmlessly curl his shot into the hands of Legzdins.

The second half kicked off in slight rain in Yorkshire and with neither side creating an opening in the early exchanges, Ronnie Moore made a double substitution just 8 minutes in. Off for Rotherham went Josh Walker and Marcus Marshall and they were replaced by Drewe Broughton and Adbulai Bell-Baggie.

The substitution coincided with a torrential downpour that prompted a lot of supporters to seek refuge higher up in the stands!

The first real chance of the second half saw Zola half volley an effort from Donaldson over the bar. It wasn't an easy chance to execute for the club's leading marksman.

Winger Bell-Baggie certainly injected some pace and purpose for the Millers as the rain continued to fall heavily inside the athletics stadium.

Le Fondre had another sight of goal after 62 minutes after a pass forward from Mark Lynch but he uncharacteristically lashed it high and wide.

The rain certainly didn't help the match as a spectacle with players losing their footing and the ball sliding through with great pace.

Matt Tootle had an almighty let off on 69 minutes when his stray pass was directed straight into the path of substitute Drewe Broughton but he couldn't get his shot on target as he slipped through the water. He should have at least tested Legzdins.

Moments later, Grant produced a great piece of skill to reach the by-line but there was no one well placed to finish off his cut back. That was the Crewe winger's last contribution of the afternoon as he was replaced for Shaun Miller.

A run from Miller inside a crowded penalty area ended with Donaldson heading over Warrington's goal. There was then a short stoppage following a melee inside the penalty area. The Alex players were none too pleased after Broughton appeared to tread on Ada as the ball was cleared up the pitch. The defender, who performed admirably throughout needed treatment from the Alex physio Rob Sharp but was able to continue.

With the downpour really spoiling the second half there really didn't look like being a winner. In the closing stages, Westwood did force Andy Warrington into a rare save with his 25 yarder being tipped over the bar by the Rotherham number one.

In the final minute, Bailey was replaced by Steven Schumacher but that final last chance never materialised.