Buoyed by the previous week's point at Seedhill, Crewe flew out of the blocks in the league return at Gresty Road.

From the kick-off, Montgomery flew down the wing and centred for Caulfield, but his blistering shot went just inches wide. Soon after, Bricker slotted a pass out wide to Turner, but he too fired wide from a decent position.

A quick break by Steele saw Nelson's first attack, and Wolstenholme neatly stepped outside a defender before miskicking the ball wide of goal.

Back at the other end, Birds was tested by a fierce drive from Halsall, but superbly palmed the ball around the post, while Bricker and Caulfield also tested the Nelson stopper before Nelson got themselves back into the game.

Hutchinson played in Crawshaw to score for the visitors, but they were pulled up for offside. The winger was provider once more, for Eddleston, who had returned from injury. He rounded Goodwin before being dispossessed by Chorlton. And Walker had to be alert to head clear when Hoad and Wolstenholme threatened to unlock the home defence.

But the Railwaymen responded and broke away through Montgomery, who found Caulfield in the area. The striker drove the ball goalwards but was denied by another great save from Birds.

Alex enjoyed the greater possession in the second half, but found Steele and Rigg hard to pass. In fact it was Nelson who should have taken the lead when Wilson fed Crawshaw, who looked to have a simple task from close range, but the striker skied it over the bar.

But disaster struck for the Blues with just two minutes remaining. Steele conceded a free-kick, which was whipped into the box by Turner, and Bricker nipped in ahead of a hesitant Birds to prod the ball into the net.

With more composure up front Nelson may well have won the game, but the late goal meant it a solitary point gained from the two meetings with the home side. Arrangements had also been made for the side to tour Spain at the end of the season, for three weeks from the 9th May.

The Nelson Leader cartoonist emphasised the importance of Eddleston's return to the side

With the ground soft following the usual wet weather, hopes were high Nelson would return to winning ways, but found Grimsby equal to them in the early stages.

The Nelson goal had a remarkable escape early on when Ritchie crossed inside for Kettle, who could only fire the ball against Steele when a goal looked inevitable.

The visitors were looking sprightly, and McKenna went close with an effort that narrowly beat the upright. But Hoad did get in at the other end, forcing a fine save from Atter, while Miller did well to block a menacing run from Wolstenholme.

Birds was pressed into action and leapt out to grab the ball off the feet of McKenna. And Miller was cursing after missing the target with only the keeper to beat after being put through by the excellent Ritchie.

A Nelson free-kick saw Braidwood force Atter into a smart low save as the home side responded. Wolstenholme was unlucky from a Hoad pass, his header striking Atter and then the crossbar before being cleared to safety.

The pressure told, and Nelson took the lead on 23 minutes. A left wing cross was met by Eddleston, and he powerfully headed the Blues ahead. Just moments later, Crawshaw missed a Hutchinson cross by inches which would have doubled the lead.

Nelson looked well on top, but a now rare breakaway saw Grimsby equalise. Rigg miskicked a clearance, and Ritchie didn't need a second invitation, blasting past Birds to restore parity.

The Blues responded well. Eddleston hit the crossbar, a decent penalty shout was turned down following a handball by Bradford, and Broadhead narrowly missed the target following a corner kick. Just before half-time Crawshaw had a great chance, but hesitation led to Miller nicking the ball away.

Town's Kettle got in a shot after eluding Braidwood early in the second half, while Nelson narrowly failed at the other end as Eddleston found the upright with Atter well beaten. Hoad pounced on the rebound but could only shoot wide.

It was end-to-end stuff, and both teams were temporarily down to ten men as Kettle and Wilson collided in the Nelson penalty area. Eddleston fired wide for the home side, while Steele had to make a vital interception to deprive McKenna for the visitors.

Nelson penned Town back for the last fifteen minutes in search of a winner, but couldn't fashion any more clear-cut opportunities, and the visitors held out for a draw. Rigg had played exceptionally well, but ultimately his slip had cost the Blues both points.

The re-arranged game at Wrexham on Monday night saw an enforced and a surprise change in personnel. Wilson was still injured following the Grimsby game, with Eastwood stepping up from the reserves. But amazingly, Wolstenholme had been dropped and replaced at inside right by McCulloch.

The Nelson supporters were unhappy at the dropping of Wolstenholme, and their dissatisfaction appeared justified as McCulloch struggled to get to grips with his new position.

Eastwood also struggled on his step up to first team level, and though he improved as the second half progressed, the damage had been done in the first half.

By that time Cotton and Sheldon had already scored for the home side, with Crawshaw replying for Nelson. In fact it was lucky for Nelson that Rigg was in inspired form, as he - and Birds when required - helped to prevent the Robins build up a healthier lead.

It was a poor performance by the Blues, although they felt hard done to in the second half when claiming that a clearance from the Wrexham defence had actually crossed the goalline.

However, it meant a return of just two points from the last four games, and only similarly poor form from their closest rivals had stopped all but Chesterfield overhauling them at the top of the table. The Spireites now led on goal average, though the Blues had one game in hand.