Walsall 1-1 Crewe Alexandra: Nathan Lowe earns point for Saddlers

Substitute Nathan Lowe came off the bench to earn Sky Bet League Two strugglers Walsall a 1-1 draw with Crewe Alexandra.

Chris Long had given Crewe the lead just before the half-hour mark at the Banks's Stadium, heading home Charlie Kirk's cross.

But the Saddlers fought back in the second half and levelled through Lowe nine minutes from time with a close-range finish.

The result leaves Crewe still in the relegation zone, a point from safety, while Walsall are one point better off in 22nd.

Crewe took the lead when Kirk found space down the right and squared the ball for Long to head home from close range.

Walsall had chances to level before half-time, with Conor Wilkinson seeing his shot blocked and Liam Kinsella heading wide from close range.

The Saddlers continued to press for an equaliser after the break and levelled when Lowe turned in substitute Douglas James-Taylor's cross from the left.

Crewe might have grabbed a late winner when substitute Courtney Baker-Richardson had a shot cleared off the line in the dying minutes.