James Connolly gains Crewe a point at Cheltenham

James Connolly’s late header earned Crewe a 1-1 draw at Cheltenham in League Two.

The Robins led through Jake Bickerstaff’s strike early in the second half, but Crewe hit back to avoid a third successive defeat and stay in touch of the play-off places.

Cheltenham were the better side in the first half but despite some dangerous balls into the box, they only tested Ian Lawlor once before the break.

A low effort from Luke Young was pushed away by the Alex goalkeeper in the eighth minute.

Max Sanders smashed a free-kick just wide for Crewe early in the second half before Bickerstaff’s breakthrough.

It came after a ball forward from Young and the ex-Wrexham forward showed neat footwork to make room for a shot, which he slammed past Lawlor.

Cheltenham nearly doubled their lead in the 69th minute when Thomas was denied by Lawlor’s parry and Isaac Hutchinson’s follow-up cannoned back off the left post.

But Crewe rescued a point five minutes from time when Connolly headed in Jack Powell’s corner from the left and only fine stop from Joe Day denied Calum Agius a winner in added time.