A second half goal from Ashley Westwood was enough to earn Crewe Alexandra a deserved point against league newcomers Stevenage in a scrappy affair at the Lamex Stadium.
Yemi Odubade put the home side ahead in first half injury time, but Westwood’s equaliser ten minutes after the break brought Crewe level after a period of sustained pressure.
The momentum seemed to have shifted further towards the visitors when Stacey Long was dismissed for a foul on Mat-Mitchell King with 25 minutes remaining.
But a determined display from both defences ensured that the points were shared on the day, continuing Stevenage’s unbeaten home record.
Before the game, referee James Linington was not satisfied that Crewe’s away kit did not clash with Stevenage’s home kit, and thus the visitors were required to wear Stevenage’s all yellow away strip instead.
The first half contained very few chances for both sides, although Dario Gradi’s men will have felt aggrieved not to have found themselves ahead early on when the referee brought play back for a free kick after Clayton Donaldson was fouled, as Shaun Miller found the back of the net moments later with a long range strike – which was ruled out.
Crewe continued to push for an opener, and came close when Calvin Zola played the ball behind the Stevenage defence, but Ashley Westwood’s shot was well saved by Boro’ goalkeeper Chris Day.
It was the home side who scored first, when Stacey Long’s initial shot from distance rebounded off the woodwork, allowing the onrushing Yemi Odubade to tap the ball into an empty net, finishing off a well worked counter attacking move moments before the end of the first half.
The second half was very much a different story as Crewe came out firing on all cylinders - and were rewarded for their dominance when Ashley Westwood’s curling effort from over twenty yards hit the inside of the post and into the back of the net.
Both sides were poorly disciplined throughout the match, and Stevenage were reduced to ten men when Stacey Long was dismissed for a second bookable offence midway through the second half.
Crewe were on top for the remainder of the match, with 16 year old substitute Nick Powell forcing Chris Day to make another fine save with a long range shot.
Calvin Zola also came close for the visitors but could not find a winner, and the points were shared on the day.
Man of the Match – Mark Roberts (Stevenage)
Match highlights
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