Keith Gillespie's first goal since April 2002 and his first ever for Leicester earned his side a point against resilient Crewe.

Andy White, who came off the bench to snatch a late equaliser in Crewe's last match against Rotherham, justified his selection in attack as he scored his third goal of the season to hand the visitors a half-time lead.

But the Foxes hit back after the break and grabbed a deserved equaliser with just under 15 minutes remaining as Gillespie stroked the ball home after good work from Jordan Stewart.

Both sides had chances to snatch maximum points, with Stephen Foster and Joey Gudjonsson going close, but the game ended all-square.

Leicester named the same side which claimed a last-gasp victory at Reading in the FA Cup last week.

Crewe, without a win in their last four outings, handed a debut to new signing Colin Murdock, while White was handed a starting spot ahead of Steve Jones.

A James Scowcroft shot which was blocked by Crewe defender Foster was the only opportunity of a quiet opening 15 minutes.

Leicester began to dominate as the half progressed, with Gudjonsson coming within inches of the opening goal with a curling shot from the right side of the box.

Gareth Williams, who opened the scoring against the Royals, almost made it two goals in two games as he flashed a volley past the left post.

Scowcroft forced the first save of the afternoon from Clayton Ince on the half-hour mark with a towering header, and the Crewe goalkeeper then pulled off a stunning stop to deny the striker again from close range.

The visitors made the Foxes pay for their wayward finishing in the 36th minute as White grabbed the opening goal.

Anthony Tonkin played in Luke Varney, and he picked out his strike partner White who hit a low drive past Ian Walker.

Danny Tiatto had two shots blocked, while Nikos Dabizas' weak header was straight at Ince as Leicester went in search of an equaliser.

City brought on Lilian Nalis for Williams at the start of the second half and were straight on the attack, with Alan Maybury forcing Ince to parry a fierce drive from 18 yards.

The home side were forced into a second substitution in the 53rd minute as Scowcroft left the field through injury.

Mark de Vries came on and was immediately involved, playing a part in Leicester's equaliser.

Stewart's left-wing cross was met by the head of de Vries, albeit untidily, and the ball fell invitingly for Gillespie to steer the ball past Ince.

Foster spurned a golden chance to put Crewe back in front as he headed wide when well placed, while White was only inches away from his second of the afternoon with a well-struck snap-shot.

Gudjonsson tried his luck with two shots from distance at the death, and de Vries could have won it in injury-time, but the Alex held on.

Teams

Leicester Walker, Maybury, Heath, Dabizas, Stewart, Gillespie, Williams (Nalis 45), Gudjonsson, Tiatto, Scowcroft (de Vries 53), Connolly, Nalis (Hughes 79).

Subs Not Used: Makin, Dublin.

Booked: Dabizas.

Goals: Gillespie 58.

Crewe Ince, McCready, Foster, Murdock, Tonkin, Lunt (Cochrane 86), Sorvel, Bell, Vaughan, Varney, White.

Subs Not Used: Steve Jones, Higdon, Rivers, Tomlinson.

Goals: White 36.

Att: 27,011

Ref: P Armstrong (Berkshire).