Charlie McNeill scored two penalties in the final ten minutes to salvage a dramatic 2-2 draw for Crewe Alexandra against Blackpool in the EFL Trophy. The Railwaymen fought back from a two-goal deficit at Bloomfield Road on Tuesday night, extending their unbeaten run ahead of a key League Two fixture this weekend.
How the game unfolded
Jordan Gibson gave Crewe an early lead, finding the net after half an hour. The advantage was short-lived, however, as Albie Morgan struck twice for the hosts shortly after the interval. His goals in the 46th and 53rd minutes appeared to have put Blackpool in control of the Group North tie.
Crewe refused to fold. McNeill won and converted a penalty with ten minutes remaining to halve the deficit. Then, in the final minute of normal time, the forward stepped up again from the spot to complete the comeback and secure a point. The late drama continued with a remarkable sequence of five more penalties in stoppage time, but the score remained locked at two apiece.
Manager Lee Bell made several changes at the break and on the hour mark, introducing Joshua Stephenson, Adrien Thibaut, Ryan Chadwick, Noah Bell, and Finn Roberts. The visitors finished the game with three yellow cards, all shown in a frantic second-half period.
What the result means
This resilient performance maintains Crewe's positive momentum as they sit third in the League Two table with 15 points from nine games. Their recent form shows they are a tough side to beat, having gone five matches without a loss.
The focus now shifts immediately to the league campaign and a trip to face Swindon Town on Saturday. Swindon currently occupy 13th place, and a full rundown of the upcoming schedule is available on our fixtures list. Crewe will aim to carry the spirit of this comeback into that contest at the County Ground.
Speaking on October 8, Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell praised the young players handed first-team debuts in the 2-2 draw with Blackpool. Bell told reporters, "The character they showed... I thought we were tremendous." He urged the teenagers, including 16-year-old Joel Ewusi and 17-year-old Tom Graves, to use the experience as motivation. The manager also said loanee Charlie McNeill, who scored his first goals for the club, is "chomping at the bit to get a start." Crewe, third in League Two, travel to Swindon Town on October 10.
The EFL Trophy tie at Blackpool was ultimately decided by a penalty shootout on October 6. Blackpool manager Ian Evatt confirmed his side won the shootout 4-3 after the 2-2 draw, with Crewe's Adrien Thibaut missing his spot-kick. The result means Crewe, who remain third in League Two and are unbeaten in five, take one point from the group stage.
