Crewe and Swindon shared the spoils as a poor-quality game at the Mornflake Stadium ended goalless.

Both sides were looking to bounce back from heavy home defeats last weekend and it was the visitors who had the better of the opening half.

Crewe skipper Mickey Demetriou was fortunate to stay on the pitch after hacking down Paul Glatzel, who was breaking clear on goal.

Earlier, Jeff King and Harry Smith had efforts for the Robins, with Smith’s first effort arrowing just wide. Miguel Freckleton’s header from a King corner was deflected over.

Smith had a goal chalked out after he rose to head home Will Wright’s cross from a corner, but the striker’s push on a defender was spotted.

Glatzel blasted over after he turned neatly onto Jake Cain’s flick on but as the first period drew to a close the former Liverpool youngster was taken down in full flight by Demetriou just over the half way line, with the centre-half escaping with a yellow card.

After the restart Cain’s low drive stretched Crewe keeper Filip Marschall.

Crewe took an hour to threaten the goal when Max Sanders’ goalbound effort was blocked amid a melee.

Mark Kennedy’s side looked the more likely to break the stalemate and King’s fierce angled drive forced Marschall into a diving save to palm the ball away.

Alex substitute Chris Long wasted a gilt-edged chance in stoppage time when he skewed a left-footed shot wide of the near post as his side earned their first point of the campaign.