Crewe Alexandra were handed a pre-season boost with Michael Raynes completing his first 45 minutes of the summer in the 1-1 draw at Leek. The experienced centre-half captained the side in the first period before being replaced at the half-time interval.

The former Carlisle United defender was always scheduled to play just 45 minutes following his recent knee injury. He missed the last four games of last season and his summer programme was structured around his rehabilitation.

The Crewe youngster Joe Lynch also featured in the first half following his own injury problem. The attack minded midfielder suffered a wrist and a fracture in his foot last season whilst playing for the club’s Under-18s.

Crewe took the lead in the second half against Neil Baker’s Leek side thanks to a well taken free-kick from Lewis Reilly, only for Tim Grice to head home an equaliser from a free-kick of their own.