Crewe 2-2 Ipswich

Bent earned Ipswich a point

Leaders Ipswich came from two goals down to earn a point at Gresty Road.

Darren Bent and Shefki Kuqi missed good chances before David Vaughan set up Dean Ashton to hammer in Crewe's first.

It was 2-0 when Kenny Lunt's defence-splitting pass found Ashton but Ipswich hit back after the break and Richard Naylor pulled one back from a corner.

Bent levelled after Crewe failed to clear Kevin Horlock's cross, and Town could have won when Vaughan cleared Ian Westlake's effort off the line.

Crewe boss Dario Gradi
"We still gave them chances and again it was individuals at the back. We knew two goals weren't necessarily going to be enough.

"If you had said to me you will get seven points out of those three games I would have been absolutely delighted.

"It shows what is possible and also shows that we're not there yet and probably still missing that central defender.

"I really could do with somebody at the back who has got the ability to organise them. I could do the talking but couldn't do the heading or the running about."

Ipswich boss Joe Royle
"Two points lost. I don't know how we were behind at half-time to be honest.

"Television will confirm or not confirm my opinion that both goals were borderline offside and we've missed four or five chances that we would have put away with some appendage to our bodies.

"In the second half it was one-way traffic and our goalkeeper was redundant. It was a great comeback and the second half was a great display of in-your-face passing football.

"You can see it either way and I won't argue. If you're two goals down on foreign soil and you come back it's a great revival. If you miss enough chances to win three games then it's two points lost, which we did and I don't think even Dario will argue with that."

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Crewe: Ince, McCready (Walker 68), Moses, Foster, Bignot, Lunt, Sorvel, Cochrane, Vaughan, Steve Jones, Ashton.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Bell, Varney, White.

Goals: Ashton 24, 27.

Ipswich: Davis, Wilnis, De Vos, Naylor, Diallo (Richards 45), Miller, Magilton, Horlock, Westlake, Bent, Kuqi.
Subs Not Used: Counago, Bowditch, Collins, Supple.

Booked: De Vos, Magilton.

Goals: Naylor 55, Bent 59.

Att: 7,236.

Ref: R Olivier (W Midlands).