Substitute Tom Pope grabbed Crewe a late equaliser to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Steve Holland in a 1-1 draw with Peterborough.

Sub strikes late to deny Peterborough at Gresty Road

Substitute Tom Pope grabbed Crewe a late equaliser to ease the pressure on under-fire manager Steve Holland in a 1-1 draw with Peterborough. A contingent of Crewe fans were already calling for Holland's head before kick-off and things got worse for the home side when Aaron Mclean netted after just 15 minutes. Paul Coutts drove a long-range effort from the edge of the box which took a deflection before landing at the feet of McLean. The Crewe rearguard hesitated, but McLean fired past goalkeeper Steve Collis. Craig MacKail-Smith should have doubled Posh's lead in the 58th minute, but Collis dived low to deny the striker and United could have been handed a penalty soon after when George Abbey looked to have brought down Shaun Batt on the edge of the box. But Joel Grant crossed low for Pope, who turned sharply to rescue a point with three minutes to go.