Ben Doane scored his first goal for Sheffield United to deny Crewe a vital three points in their bid to avoid the drop.

The 22-year-old lashed the ball home from 30 yards with 19 minutes remaining to earn the Blades a share of the spoils.

After going behind to Laurent D'Jaffo's sixth goal of the season after 39 minutes, Crewe stormed back and five minutes later they led thanks to goals from Rob Hulse and Stephen Foster.

But Doane's strike means the hosts have now failed to win in six games to leave them in deep relegation trouble.

Gareth Whalley was named in Dario Gradi's starting line-up after joining the club on loan from Bradford in midweek but Efe Sodje had to settle for a place on the bench despite being available again after representing Nigeria in midweek.

Wilko de Vogt made a rare start in goal for the visitors with Simon Tracey serving a one-match suspension.

Crewe captain Shaun Smith was booked after seven minutes following a bad tackle on Peter Ndlovu and Hulse was first to threaten but his left-foot shot from the edge of the area was blocked by Wales international Robert Page.

Ndlovu was then shown the yellow card for time-wasting after 16 minutes as both sides struggled to settle.

Phil Jagielka, who scored twice for the Blades in their 3-0 win against Burnley last week, lashed a right-foot shot just wide after 25 minutes but chances remained few and far between.

Canadian striker Paul Peschisolido became the third player to be booked after a bad challenge on Crewe's Kenny Lunt before Rodney Jack fired a shot over the crossbar for the hosts after 35 minutes.

D'Jaffo then put Neil Warnock's side ahead when his right-foot shot from the edge of the area flew into the bottom corner but Crewe responded almost immediately when Hulse levelled, firing the ball into the roof of the net.

Foster then made it three goals in five minutes when he put Crewe ahead with a brave header following Lunt's cross.

D'Jaffo was replaced by Grant Smith at the interval but the Blades came under pressure in the early stages of the second half with Jack testing De Vogt with a rasping shot.

United eventually began to press forward in search of an equaliser but Jagielka's ambitious effort from 30 yards sailed harmlessly over the crossbar with 22 minutes remaining.

But they did level matters after 71 minutes when Doane smashed a fantastic shot into the top corner.

Teams

Crewe: Ince, Collins, Foster, Macauley (Sodje 89), Smith, Lunt, Whalley, Sorvel, Street, Jack (Rix 85), Hulse.

Subs Not Used: Bankole, Walker, Vaughan.

Booked: Smith.

Goals: Hulse 43, Foster 45.

Sheff Utd: de Vogt, Doane, Curle, Page, Nicholson, Montgomery (Tonge 77), Jagielka, Javary, Ndlovu, D'Jaffo (Smith 46), Peschisolido (Ford 60).

Subs Not Used: Sandford, Blackwell.

Booked: Ndlovu, Peschisolido.

Goals: D'Jaffo 40, Doane 72.

Att: 7,855

Ref: M Cowburn (Blackpool).