Neil Sorvel headed in a second-half equaliser as comeback specialists Crewe dented Nottingham Forest's Coca-Cola Championship survival hopes at Gresty Road.

Second-bottom Forest looked like claiming a vital win when Scott Dobie fired home a 25-yard shot seven minutes before the interval to give them a half-time lead.

But as they had done in their last two Championship games - where they earned 1-1 draws at West Ham and Cardiff - Crewe put in a much-improved display in the second period and Sorvel nodded in Adie Moses' right-wing cross to hand his side a point.

Crewe continue to fear for their safety having not won in the league since January 1 while Forest, who dominated the first half before fading in the second, are staring down the barrel of demotion to League One. Crewe, who restored Moses and striker Steve Jones to the starting line-up, had the better of the early stages.

Midfielder David Vaughan saw his stinging long-range shot parried away by Forest goalkeeper Paul Gerrard before Jones, returning from international duty, wildly lashed over having been teed up by strike partner Luke Varney.

Forest, in desperate need of a win and happy to recall influential midfield trio Darryl Powell, Kris Commons and David Friio, only really came into the encounter after 20 minutes.

Powell indicated Forest's intentions of outmuscling Crewe in midfield by committing two crude tackles, the second of which - on Jones - earned the former Jamaica international a booking.

The visitors were having much of the possession but, as has been their problem in recent games, were struggling to create any clear-cut opportunities.

It took nearly 30 minutes for them to have their first shot on goal - and when it did come Friio screwed a disappointing effort wide.

Alex defender Chris McCready then had to put in a sprawling tackle to stop Commons' goal-bound shot from 10 yards as Forest upped the tempo.

It came as no surprise, therefore, when they scored the opening goal in the 37th minute.

Dobie, who had not hit the net in his five appearances for Forest, picked the ball up 25 yards out and hit a low drive into the corner past leaden-footed Crewe goalkeeper Ben Williams to give the visitors a half-time lead.

Commons' ambitious 40-yarder flew over the crossbar as Forest began the second period in much the same vein.

Gary Megson's men did have a hair-raising moment in the 52nd minute when Gerrard fumbled Vaughan's left-foot volley at the feet of Varney, but Forest's defence managed to scramble clear.

Midfielder Sorvel also made Gerrard work while Forest substitute John Thompson almost hooked a tame Jones cross into his own net.

The away side, looking to preserve their lead and claim a vital three points, began to sit back and stationed Thompson just in front of their back four.

But that only served to invite Crewe onto them and having sent on big striker Andy White from the substitutes' bench, the hosts restored parity with 19 minutes left.

White sent a ball back to Moses, who crossed to the far post where the unmarked Sorvel rose to head into the corner from eight yards out.

Crewe looked the more likely to find the winner, with Varney volleying off-target from 12 yards and White heading straight at Gerrard.

Alex's playmaker Kenny Lunt, hitherto anonymous, started to orchestrate matters from midfield and his long pass set up Jones, whose shot was well-held by Gerrard.

Gareth Taylor had a rare second-half chance for Forest with five minutes left but his deflected shot crept wide as an entertaining game ended in a stalemate.

Teams

Crewe Williams, McCready, Moses, Murdock, Tonkin, Lunt, Sorvel, Bell (White 69), Vaughan, Varney, Steve Jones.

Subs Not Used: Walker, Cochrane, Rivers, Wills.

Booked: McCready.

Goals: Sorvel 71.

Nottm Forest Gerrard, Louis-Jean, Morgan, Doig, Curtis (James 73), Commons (Evans 65), Powell, Friio (Thompson 54), Perch, Taylor, Dobie.

Subs Not Used: Doyle, Harris.

Booked: Powell.

Goals: Dobie 37.

Att: 8,458

Ref: K Friend (Leicestershire).