Rodney Jack returned from injury to hand Crewe a share of the points after a battling performance against league leaders Manchester City.

Lee Crooks gave City a sixth minute lead after he was sent racing into the box by Robert Taylor and before coolly placing the ball past Alex keeper Jason Kearton for his first goal of the season.

Then Jack, returning after two months out with a knee injury, charged after a long punt forward from Steve Macauley, easily beat Gerard Wiekens for pace to blast past England Under-21 international keeper Nicky Weaver to level.

Shaun Goater forced an excellent stop from Crewe keeper Kearton in the opening minutes with a rasping drive from the edge of the area.

The home team had a penalty appeal turned down when Jack went down inside the area under Danny Granville's challenge, but referee Rob Styles waved play on.

At the other end Kearton pulled off a fantastic save after Goater had forced his way past Steve Wright and pulled the trigger from the penalty spot.

Jack's pace was causing the visitors problems and Weaver had to be quick off his line to smother a shot after Colin Little had sent the St Vincent international through on goal.

It was end-to-end stuff and Weaver was next to show his class with a great save after a superb Kevin Street effort from distance.

Crewe fought back after the break, Marcus Bignot's cross from the touchline finding Little, but the winger steered his header wide from close range.

A neat passing move worked out between Neil Sorvel and Paul Tait gave Jack the chance to break into the box, but the striker's touch let him down at the crucial moment.

Then a deft header from Tait sent Little charging through but Weaver spread himself well to block and Jack's follow-up was driven over the bar.

Kevin Horlock almost fired City back in front with 10 minutes to go from a fierce free-kick which Kearton did well to beat out.

Teams:

Crewe: Kearton, Bignot, Macauley, S. Wright, D. Wright, Street (Rivers 70), Lunt, Sorvel, Jack, Tait, Little.

Subs Not Used: Ince, Collins, Smith, Foran.

Booked: Macauley.

Goals: Jack 73.

Man City: Weaver, Crooks, Wiekens, Jobson, Granville (Tiatto 49), Grant (Whitley 73), Bishop, Pollock, Horlock, Taylor (Dickov 45), Goater.

Subs Not Used: Wright, Peacock.

Booked: Wiekens, Tiatto.

Goals: Crooks 6.

Att: 10,066

Ref: R Styles (Waterlooville).