Salford and Crewe shared a 1-1 draw in what turned out to be a pulsating finish at the Peninsula Stadium.
After a drab first half, Kelly N’mai’s 68th-minute opener sparked life into the encounter before Connor O’Riordan’s spectacular strike 11 minutes later earned a point for the visitors.
Salford shaded the first half with chances for N’mai and Hakeeb Adelakun, and took the lead midway through the second half when Ben Woodburn picked out N’mai, who rounded Filip Marschall before finishing in the bottom corner.
Crewe almost equalised after 77 minutes as substitutes Kane Hemmings and Chris Long linked up, with the latter seeing his effort saved well by Jamie Jones.
The Alex did net a leveller soon after in emphatic fashion as O’Riordan fired in an outstanding finish into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.
Tom Edwards almost put Salford back in front but his free-kick from 20 yards clipped the crossbar after 82 minutes.
Then in the final minute, Hemmings brought down a long ball and only the outstretched foot of Jones denied a dramatic late winner for Crewe.
