Dario Gradi will be a happier man than Nigel Worthington tonight after his young Crewe side snatched a draw against Norwich to celebrate his 1000th game in charge at Gresty Road.
A short corner was worked to Kenny Lunt and the midfielders cross was met with a firm header from Dave Walton to make it 1-0 with only 6 minutes gone.
However, The Canaries were back on level terms after 14 minutes thanks to some great work from Mark Rivers, playing against his former club for the first time. His cross from the right was headed back across goal by Roberts and Marc Libbra slotted home from a tight angle out to make it 1-1.
Lunt gave Robert Green a real scare from long range just after the half hour mark, but the Norwich keeper put the ball behind at the second attempt.
In the minutes just before half-time Norwich wasted some great chances to put themselves ahead; Libbra went close just before half-time, but Ademole Bankole tipped over his curling long range effort. Moments later Rivers was guilty of missing a gilt-edged chance from 12-yards out as he blasted over when he really should have tested Bankole.
Crewe made a fast start to the second half and Dean Ashton nearly put Gradi's side back in the lead, but Green made a great one handed save to deny the 17 year old striker.
However, it was The Canaries who took the lead against the run of play on 50 minutes. Gary Holt's header caused panic in the Crewe defence and Libbra out jumped Bankole to head home via the underside of the cross-bar.
Crewe continued to play neat football and were patient in their approach and they eventually found an equaliser with just four minutes left of the game. The Norwich back four were guilty of giving Rob Hulse too much space and he set up young midfielder Dave Brammer who coolly drove the ball past Green to make it 2-2.
