Three superb Crewe goals weren't enough to see off table toppers Merseyrail as both sides had to settle for a point apiece.
This was the start of a huge month for Crewe Alexandra Women who were back on home turf.
Injuries once again hindered Matt Fisher's side who remained without Garner, Evans, Lelis Ferrari and Nuttall.
The game immediately came to life when Grice raced down the right-hand side and her low cross fizzed across the goal mouth and was met at the back post by Megan Booth to tap home the opener.
The Alex doubled their lead seven minutes later when Loren Cooper’s free kick was found the top corner.
Despite holding a healthy lead, the home side started to drop deeper and struggled to maintain possession. Merseyrail took advantage of the mistakes and got their goal ten minutes from half-time.
Heading into the second period, Matt Fisher was forced in to making a change which saw experienced defender Beth Ragdale making way due to injury. The next 45 replicated the start of the first half as Merseyrail equalised through a dubious penalty bringing the scores level.
The equaliser gave Merseyrail a lift as they looked to push for a winner, but it was Crewe who took the lead once again on 54 minutes when Grice assisted Booth who bundled home at the back post.
The Alex women continued to push forward to try and secure the points with a bigger lead, but Merseyrail managed to find a way through the Crewe defence when Chelcee Grimes scored a superb volley past Hannah Holloway.
In the latter stages of the game, Crewe looked to try and find that vital winner, but it was meant to be after a couple of big chances were missed late on, the Alex had to settle for a draw.
After Sunday’s game with Merseyrail, the Women’s First Team manager, Matt Fisher said: “We knew it would be a difficult game against the league leaders and I felt we played well in parts.
“We scored some great goals, but we are obviously disappointed with ones that we conceded. The penalty decision is something we obviously disagreed with, but we can take a lot of positives from the game.
“It’ll be a week on the training ground now focusing on the areas that we need to improve in ahead of this weekend's game against Tranmere Rovers."
Player of the Match: Amanda Fallon