Gary Megson's high-flying West Brom twice took the lead against in-form Crewe at The Hawthorns, but in the end they had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Crewe were full of fighting spirit and, unbeaten since the start of the year, they took their points tally to an impressive 11 from their last five outings.

But Megson's promotion-chasers have clocked up just three points from four games and, unless they tighten up at the back, their dreams of a place in the play-offs will be shattered.

Albion opened the scoring in the 23rd minute when veteran striker Bob Taylor crowned his first start in nearly four months with his third goal of the campaign.

Ruel Fox fired a pinpoint right-wing cross into the heart of the Crewe defence and Taylor was perfectly positioned to sweep a magnificent shot into the roof of the net.

But it was 1-1 on the half-hour when Crewe's teenage striker Dean Ashton made it three goals in three full starts for the club.

The 17-year-old - Crewe have rejected a £1million bid from Arsenal for him - made no mistake with a close-range header to a cross from Kenny Lunt.

Albion retook the lead in the 68th minute when their marksman was £2million record signing Jason Roberts.

He picked up a pass from the hard-working Taylor before side-stepping two defenders and smashing the ball passed helpless keeper Ademola Bankole.

But it was 2-2 in the 75th minute when Rob Hulse earned battling Crewe a deserved share of the points.

David Wright chipped the ball over keeper Brian Jensen to leave Hulse with the simple task of tapping the ball home at the far post.

Teams:

West Brom: Jensen, Clement, Van Blerk (Sigurdsson 83), Butler, Carbon, Adam Chambers, Fox, Sneekes, Jordao, Taylor, Roberts.

Subs Not Used: Hoult, Quinn, Burgess, Derveld.

Booked: Carbon.

Goals: Taylor 24, Roberts 69.

Crewe: Bankole, Shaun Smith, Walton, Foster, Gannon, Wright, Lunt, Sorvel, Street (Tait 72), Jack, Ashton (Hulse 46).

Subs Not Used: Ince, Sodje, Little.

Booked: Wright.

Goals: Ashton 30, Hulse 76.

Att: 15,476

Ref: A Butler (Sutton-in-Ashfield).