See how the press reported our 0-0 draw

The Sentinel

CREWE manager Steve Davis admitted his side lacked a cutting edge after a frustrating night in Cumbria.

Alex created plenty of chances in the goalless draw with Ajay Leitch-Smith going closest to opening the scoring when his 70th-minute snapshot hit the bar.

Davis said: "We more than deserved the draw and could even have won the game because we had several clear openings in the first half when I felt we were the better team.

"They came into it a bit, but we defended the crosses well. We had more opportunities and hit the bar, but we were a bit shot-shy even if it was not for want of trying.

"It was a decent game and with a bit more fortune we would have won. We played some good football and I was proud of a good performance. Our movement was good and it was just the final ball in the last third and the killer edge in front of goal we lacked."

The Sun

CARLISLE’S comeback star Joe Garner almost marked his return with a goal.

The on-loan Watford striker was unlucky his flicked shot cracked against the post.

Crewe’s Alex Leitch-Smith hit the bar with a thunderbolt.

The News And Star

Joe Garner was denied a dream Carlisle United return by the woodwork as the Blues drew a blank against Crewe.

The striker, who rejoined United on a month's loan from Watford earlier in the day, got a touch to Danny Cadamarteri's cross in the 71st minute.

But his attempt bounced back off the post and ensured there was no fairytale debut for Garner, who was a half-time replacement for Jake Jervis.

That near-miss came seconds after Crewe had come even closer to breaking the deadlock.

But Ajay Leitch-Smith's fierce shot cannoned off the underside of the bar and bounced down in front of United's goalline as Greg Abbott's team escaped.

Garner returned to a hero's reception as he was cheered throughout the warm-ups and then when he came on for the start of the second half.

By then, Brad Potts - starting in midfield - had gone close to a spectacular debut goal of his own when he met a Crewe clearance with a fierce volley from 25 yards.