Match ends, Crewe Alexandra 1, Colchester United 1.
CreweCrewe Alexandra1ColchesterColchester United1
Crewe forward Callum Saunders scored a late equaliser against Colchester which put the U's on the verge of relegation from League One.
George Ray came closest to opening the scoring for Crewe before the break when his header was saved by Elliot Parish.
George Moncur's penalty put the visitors ahead in the second-half after Ray tripped Frankie Kent in the box.
But Saunders headed in James Jones' corner to leave Colchester eight points from safety with three games to play.
Crewe coach James Collins told BBC Radio Stoke:
"It has been a tough and long season. You could tell it was two teams that are down there.
"But it was important that we got something. The players had to dig in and got a late reward.
"Callum Saunders has been ill for a lot of the season, so it's been a bit up and down for him.
"But he has the ability to run in behind and threaten. To see him score a goal like that is a real positive."
Line-ups
Crewe
Formation 4-3-3
- 1Garratt
- 2TurtonBooked at 26mins
- 5Ray
- 6NugentBooked at 32mins
- 3Guthrie
- 20Jones
- 15Fox
- 25AinleySubstituted forCooperat 71'minutes
- 31Kirk
- 9HaberSubstituted forUdohat 71'minutes
- 41BakayogoSubstituted forSaundersat 56'minutes
Substitutes
- 4Davis
- 11Cooper
- 13Richards
- 14Saunders
- 18Bingham
- 23Ng
- 39Udoh
Colchester
Formation 4-2-3-1
- 33Parish
- 4EdwardsBooked at 25mins
- 15Kent
- 18Eastman
- 31Shorey
- 8Gilbey
- 2Garvan
- 11Massey
- 10MoncurSubstituted forBrindleyat 80'minutes
- 19BonneSubstituted forChambersat 90+1'minutes
- 9Porter
Substitutes
- 7Wright
- 16Akinwande
- 20Lapslie
- 24Brindley
- 25Barnes
- 28Ambrose
- 32Chambers
- Referee:
- Scott Duncan
- Attendance:
- 3,094
Match Stats
Home TeamCreweAway TeamColchester
- Possession
- Home49%
- Away51%
- Shots
- Home5
- Away11
- Shots on Target
- Home4
- Away7
- Corners
- Home6
- Away3
- Fouls
- Home9
- Away7
Live Text
Post update
Full Time
Second Half ends, Crewe Alexandra 1, Colchester United 1.
Post update
Corner, Colchester United. Conceded by Ben Garratt.
Post update
Attempt saved. Owen Garvan (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Booking
George Ray (Crewe Alexandra) is shown the yellow card for a bad foul.
Post update
Foul by George Ray (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Joe Edwards (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Goal!
Goal! Crewe Alexandra 1, Colchester United 1. Callum Saunders (Crewe Alexandra) header from the centre of the box to the top right corner. Assisted by James Jones with a cross.
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Leo Chambers replaces Macauley Bonne.
Post update
Corner, Crewe Alexandra. Conceded by Macauley Bonne.
Post update
Corner, Crewe Alexandra. Conceded by Richard Brindley.
Post update
Attempt missed. Joe Edwards (Colchester United) right footed shot from outside the box misses to the right.
Post update
Alex Gilbey (Colchester United) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by James Jones (Crewe Alexandra).
Post update
Attempt saved. Callum Saunders (Crewe Alexandra) left footed shot from the left side of the six yard box is saved in the bottom left corner.
Post update
Jon Guthrie (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the defensive half.
Post update
Foul by Richard Brindley (Colchester United).
Substitution
Substitution, Colchester United. Richard Brindley replaces George Moncur.
Post update
Callum Saunders (Crewe Alexandra) wins a free kick in the attacking half.
Post update
Foul by Joe Edwards (Colchester United).
