Crewe Alex took a well-earned point from their clash with title-favourites Portsmouth at Gresty Road on Saturday.

Defences were on top in the hard-fought encounter which both sides tried to win – but just failed to find the quality break the deadlock.

It will go down as a good point for manager Steve Davis and his men, as his side defended strongly when under pressure but still created opportunities at the other end.

It extended their unbeaten start to the season to three games, with Hartlepool next up at home on Tuesday (7.45pm).

CREWE Alexandra picked up a good point against promotion favourites Portsmouth at Gresty Road.

Neither goalkeeper was particularly overworked on an afternoon of neat football but few stand-out chances.

Portsmouth dominated the opening 15 minutes, but the hosts slowly worked their way in to the game and were well worthy of a point that was met with warm applause by the home fans who have gone away happy.

No exultant fans celebrating shoulder-to-shoulder with their jubilant team-mates. And no iconic images to savour amid the sweetest of victories. Just the thought of what could, and probably should have been. And then the growing sense of foreboding as thoughts turn to the plight of one of our brightest young hopes. On Saturday, Crewe’s home echoed with the memories of Pompey’s last visit there in March 2013. Back then it was all about defiance as a mish-mash of football’s waifs and strays ended the worst winless run in the club’s history as they fought for survival. Portsmouth Football Club is a very different beast today. The footings are sound now, the building project is behind schedule and it’s time for tangible signs of progress and things to take shape. The expectancy is omnipresent. And quite right, too. Make no mistake, a point on the road at team who have started promisingly after dropping into League Two is nothing to be too downcast about.