- Third consecutive draw on the road for The Railwaymen
- Fifth clean sheet of the season for Morris’s men
- Crewe sit 12th in League Two at full-time
Crewe Alexandra took a battling point from a tight game at Carlisle United.
An organised and resolute display got its just reward at Brunton Park, as The Railwaymen kept a fifth clean sheet of the season.
Neither side went particularly close to scoring, but it was a creditable effort from an injury-hit side against an in-form team.
Alex Morris made three changes to the side that started last time out – the most alterations so far this season.
Top-scorer Courtney Baker-Richardson missed out due to a hip injury, and Callum Ainley (shoulder) was also ruled out.
Fit-again Lachlan Brook made his first start in six weeks, while Zac Williams and Eli King were back in the side after returning from international duty. Khanya Leshabela dropped to the bench.
Real chances were few and far between in a goalless first half. Bassala Sambou and Dan Agyei brought routine saves from home keeper Tomas Holy, while at the other end Kristian Dennis should have done better when he glanced a header just wide.
The hosts were kept generally at arm’s length, but the gaffer will have been pleased to get his players in at the interval.
The second half followed a similar pattern, with both sides struggling to carve out clear-cut opportunities.
Callum Guy and sub Omari Patrick both had shots comfortably saved by keeper Arthur Okonkwo, as Carlisle huffed and puffed.
On 82 minutes Crewe put together a slick move involving Tariq Uwakwe and sub Charlie Finney, but Agyei curled wide.
And the Alex striker was just wide with a direct free-kick in the closing stages, as both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.
Carlisle (4-4-2): Holy; Back, Huntington, Whelan, Armer; Stretton (Patrick 59), Guy (Charters 90), Mellish, Moxon; Dennis, Gibson.
Subs not used: Kelly, Feeney, Bollado, Harris, Idhen
Booked: Huntington
Crewe (4-4-2): Okonkwo; Mellor, Offord, McDonald, Williams (Adebisi 41); Thomas, King, Uwakwe, Brook (C Finney 68); Sambou, Agyei.
Subs not used: Richards, Leshabela, Sass-Davis, Tabiner, Griffiths.
Booked: Williams, Agyei, King
Referee: Ross Joyce.
Attendance: 5,012 (212).