CALLUM Saunders struck in injury time to end Crewe’s run of defeats at Gresty Road on Tuesday.

The young striker came off the bench to salvage a point with a bullet header from a James Jones corner.

It cancelled out George Moncur’s penalty opener, brought a run of seven straight losses to an end and dealt a huge blow to Colchester’s survival hopes.

But Crewe have now won just once in the last 23 and remain marooned at the bottom of League One.

THE stark similarities between Crewe Alexandra and Colchester United were laid bare during a 90 minutes to forget at Gresty Road.

They both share a similar ethos, with a focus on developing young players through their respective Academies, blooding them in the first-team with a view to moving them on when the time, and price is right.

But worryingly, on the pitch, both have failed to heed the warnings given to them over the course of the past four seasons which is set to see them both playing in the bottom division next season.

It looked as those Colchester had given themselves a fighting chance of staying up when George Moncur converted a 63rd minute penalty after George Ray tripped Frankie Kent in the box.

But Callum Saunders' late header from a James Jones corner helped arrest Crewe's run of seven defeats, although there little to smile during what was a miserable game between two sides set to play in League Two next season.

A late equaliser denied Colchester United a precious victory at bottom club Crewe Alexandra tonight following a 1-1 draw at Gresty Road.

George Moncur gave the U's a 65th-minute lead from the penalty spot but substitute Callum Saunders' last-gasp equaliser from James Jones' corner rescued a point for Alex.

A win would have meant Colchester would have gone into their home game against Burton Albion on Saturday lying six points from safety, with three games remaining.

As it is, there are now eight points from safety and relegation still looks a likely scenario for Kevin Keen's side.