Alex keep it clean

A third clean-sheet in four games for Crewe Alexandra saw them collect another valuable point in a 0-0 draw with Carlisle United at Brunton Park.

Weekend goalscorer AJ Leitch-Smith went the closest for the visitors when hitting the crossbar with a shot-on-the-turn while latest signing Joe Garner did likewise at the other end.

Matt Tootle was given a first start this season for the Alex in place of on loan suspended Arsenal youngster Chuks Ameka.

Max Clayton struck wide early on from a Tootle pass and Abdul Osman then headed over from a corner before Byron Moore was only inches off-target from another Tootle delivery.

The Cumbrians' response witnessed Frank Simek narrowly wide before Alex goalkeeper Alan Martin reacted superbly to a 25-yard volley from Bradley Potts.

Carlisle made a change at the break and introduced former striker Garner after rejoining the club on loan from Watford earlier in the day.

But it was veteran Danny Cadamarteri soon drilling straight at Martin after Clayton had already knocked an effort harmlessly wide for the visitors.

Potts had been the instigator of that earlier home attack and was soon at it again when slicing wide from a good break by Jon-Paul McGovern, while Cadamarteri then forced Martin into another low save.

Crewe went close to breaking the deadlock midway through the second-half when Leitch-Smith found the underside of the crossbar, although substitute Garner immediately diverted a cross onto the woodwork inside the opposite area.

Those were the nearest that either side came to finding a winner and the visitors would probably emerge the happier following another solid display at the back.

Carlisle United: Gillespie, Simek, Robson, Livesey, Murphy, McGovern (Symington 76), Thirlwell, Potts, Chantler, Cadamarteri, Jervis (Garner 46)

subs (unused): Collin, Edwards, Welsh, Symington, Madden, Beck

Crewe Alexandra: Martin, Tootle (Turton 75), Davis, Ellis, Robertson, Murphy, Mellor, Osman, Clayton, Leitch-Smith, Moore

subs (unused): Garratt, Dugdale, Guthrie, Ray, Daniels, Colclough

Ref: Haines

Att: 3,519

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