Crewe Alexandra's Boxing Day fixture with Rochdale was given the go-ahead after passing a 10am inspection at Gresty Road and the fans that turned out witnessed a superb game of football that ebbed and flowed and eventually finished 2-2.

The Alex had to come from behind twice after defender Craig Dawson gave them the lead and then substitute Kallum Higginbottom thumped them ahead again after Ashley Westwood had levelled up with his first goal at Gresty Road. Matt Tootle chipped in with his first senior goal too when popping up in the 6-yard-box to convert a rebound. It was no more than Crewe deserved too with both sides contributing to an exciting spectacle of football.

Dario Gradi had the luxury of a naming an unchanged side for the visitors of the League leaders but having a fortnight break between matches allowed the Crewe Alexandra manager to name Shaun Miller on the substitutes bench. The young striker has missed the last eight games due to a groin strain.

Steven Schumacher was also named in the matchday squad after overcoming his recent calf injury sustained at York City in the FA Cup.

Despite the recent wintry weather and flashes of snow in the North West area, the match at Gresty Road actually kicked off in bright sunshine. Crewe nearly made a dream start after just two minutes of play. Luke Murphy showed good vision to release Clayton Donaldson and although he appeared to have his shirt tugged back by Craig Dawson, he still managed to get his shot off and deceive Tom Heaton. The official and his assistant dubiously disallowed it for offside. Many inside the Alexandra Stadium thought he had blown for the foul on the Crewe striker.

Crewe were vibrant in the opening ten minutes and had the current league leaders on the back foot. Zola, who was a willing runner all afternoon, especially in the right channel got an early shot off on the edge of the penalty area after more good approach play involving Murphy and his strike partner Donaldson.

Rochdale, who came into the game on the back of a 7 game winning streak in the league were always a threat going forward though. A swift counter attack on 8 minutes saw full-back Matt Flynn deliver a dangerous cross aiming for the on-loan Chris O'Grady - but the covering John Brayford did superbly to get ahead of him and apply a timely interception.

It was real end-to-end stuff and after 10 minutes, a long-range pass by midfielder Simon Walton released Donaldson over the top and his right foot shot brought a decent enough save from the busier Heaton.

The visitors had their moments too, with their captain Jason Kennedy shooting straight at Steve Phillips and the prolific Chris Dagnall not applying a sufficient touch to a low cross from the forward thinking full-back Flynn. He had applied a touch it would have given Phillips no chance.

Crewe would have been disappointed not to have been awarded at least one penalty in a first half they had the better of. Zola fell down a little too easily for one, but was certainly tripped by Nathan Stanton after robbing him of possession just outside of the six-yard box. The defender certainly did't get a touch on the ball as he tried to rectify his own mistake.

Crewe were also annoyed that nothing was giving when Joel Grant appeared to be shoved in the back by Thompson as he tried to reach a deep cross from John Brayford. There looked more than a little bit of contact.

Grant drilled a shot just wide of the mark on the half a hour mark and just two minutes alter, Zola directed a header just wide of the left hand post after Donaldson did exceptionally well down the by-line. Zola just couldn't generate enough power and accuracy to really trouble Heaton.

It was Crewe certainly dominating the ball and conjuring up the better of the half chances. Donaldson headed over another decent cross from left back Matt Tootle before the lively Alex striker drilled a shot narrowly wide after being sent clear by Grant.

How the first half had ended goalless was anybody's guess but it didn't take too long for the deadlock to be broken. After Crewe had failed to take any of their chances in the first period, it was rather surprising that it was Rochdale going ahead. Tom Kennedy's corner was forced home by an in-form Dawson for his 9^th of the season.  The defender who was linked to a summer move to Crewe applied the finishing touch at the far post ahead of a lunging Zola.

That early set back on 53 minutes didn't deter Crewe from continuing to press forward. Donaldson had a cross shot that only needed a touch from Zola at the far post and then he was gifted a golden chance following an under hit back pass from Kennedy, but he couldn't get his feet right and the onrushing Heaton did well to smother the chance.

Crewe continued to look dangerous though and a well struck free-kick from Westwood nearly picked out Donaldson, but an alert Heaton did well to catch it before the striker applied a definite touch. With Crewe pressing for an equaliser, Zola saw a shot deflected over the top of the bar after Rochdale again presented possession too cheaply on the edge of their own box.

Crewe deservedly grabbed an equaliser on 72 minutes with Simon Walton's quick thinking from a free-kick released Grant inside the Rochdale box. His lifted cross was cleared off the line after O'Donnell had tried to get his head on it. The visitors cleared the ball to the edge of the box, but Ashley Westwood returned it with interest from 20 yards for his second goal of the season. It was a splendid shot from the youngster and it was game on again.

Crewe were level for just three minutes, with Higginbottom unleashing an unstoppable shot from 25 yards out after the ball travelled a long way cross the Crewe box. The substitute, who had replaced Thompson minutes into the second half arrowed a wonderful shot straight into the top corner and past a helpless Phillips.

After falling behind for a second time, the Railwaymen had to dig deep again and after having a shot saved Tootle was the surprise goalscorer. In the build up to the equaliser, the referee did well to play the advantage after Murphy was caught after playing the ball forward to Donaldson. The striker got his shot off to force Heaton into a smart save but the on-loan goalkeeper from Manchester United couldn't hold onto it and there in the 6-yard box was Tootle was to score his first goal for the club.

Crewe then lost Grant through injury, with Bryon Moore replacing him. His first real contribution saw him poke the ball through to Murphy and his well-struck shot was well held by Heaton on this occasion.

With time running out, a fine run from Donaldson created another half chance for Zola but he couldn't quite warp his leg around it.

In the dyong minutes, Rochdale had their half chances too, with O'Grady firing through the legs of O'Donnell but Phillips was right behind it to make another good save. Right at the death, Crewe had to see out a couple of corners and Will Atkinson sliced a late shot into the side netting at the far post.

There was no real last chance for glory though and a draw was probably a fair result after a superb 90 minutes of football.