- Mellor notches his second goal in second spell at club
- Crucial saves from Richards on his return
- Encouraging debut from Nevitt in attack
Kelvin Mellor’s stunning strike earned Crewe Alexandra a valuable point at Mansfield Town.
The defender’s swerving effort from range cancelled out George Maris’s opener, and extended his side’s unbeaten start to 2023.
Maris was sent off for a cynical foul with 10 minutes left, but The Railwaymen could not find a winner.
But boss Lee Bell will be relatively satisfied with a share of the spoils against Nigel Clough’s experienced side.
New signing Elliott Nevitt was handed his debut for The Railwaymen in attack, alongside Dan Agyei. Bassala Sambou dropped to the subs’ bench.
Keeper Dave Richards made his first league start of the season in place of loan man Arthur Okonkwo, who has returned to parent club Arsenal to explore other loan options.
Richards got down well to stop a Callum Johnson strike, while Tariq Uwakwe could only prod a Dan Agyei cross wide at the other end, during a lively start.
Former Crewe striker Jordan Bowery, recalled the Stags line-up, played Rhys Oates through on goal but the striker’s finish landed on the roof of the net, on 13 minutes.
Hiram Boateng fizzed one just over the bar on the half-hour mark, while on 38 minutes Uwakwe forced a good save from keeper Christy Pym after a nice pass from Lachlan Brook.
Richards got down well to his right to stop an Oates shot after some Crewe build-up play had broken down.
But on 42 minutes Johnson was allowed space to cross from wide on the right and Maris was on hand to convert from close range.
Crewe levelled matters on 55 minutes when the ball broke for Mellor and his sweetly-struck effort from range left Pym no chance.
A magnificent reflex Richards save from a point-blank range Johnson strike kept the sides level as the hosts looked to regain their lead.
On 72 minutes Richards was at it again with another incredible save to deny Oates from close range; then Mellor deflected a Stephen Quinn strike over the bar.
Mansfield were reduced to 10 men on 81 minutes when Maris cynically took sub Callum Ainley out as he advanced on goal.
Nevitt raced onto a Regan Griffiths pass as the clock ticked down but couldn’t find the power to beat Pym.
Mansfield (4-4-2): Pym; Johnson, Hewitt, Perch, McLaughlin; Maris, Boateng, Wallace (Swan 76), Quinn (Law 82); Bowery, Oates (Kilgour 86).
Subs not used: Flinders, Gordon, O’Toole, Knowles.
Booked: Oates, Wallace
Sent off: Maris
Crewe (4-4-2): Richards; Adebisi, McDonald, O’Riordan, Mellor; Thomas, Uwakwe (Sambou 66), Brook (Ainley 66), Griffiths; Agyei; Nevitt.
Subs not used: Booth, Evans, Holicek, Tabiner, Lunt.
Booked: Thomas
Referee: Carl Boyeson
Attendance: