CREWE Vagrants rued poor finishing as they drew 0-0 at City of Manchester, last Saturday.

In a slow-paced opening, Vagrants found themselves penned in by tight passing from City, but could have taken an early lead on 4 minutes when James Capper, well-placed with the keeper beaten, failed to pounce.

One minute later Nick Marshall just failed to connect when played in by Mark Ritchie.

Crewe tried to build attacks, but erratic passing and a lack of pace resulted in tame loss of possession as City placed the ball well and consistently found their men.

The visitors were increasingly penned in their own half as City repeatedly won possession to go on the offensive, but Simon Oakes tackled and cleared well as the pressure grew with the Crewe goal under threat from the fluent City attack.

The visitors began to rally taking play repeatedly to City in the closing stages of the first half.

Ritchie launched two good attacks but the first foundered as the Crewe forwards were dispossessed and the second for a lack of players able to connect.

Ashworth also produced a fine run, but finishing support was again lacking and Capper was just beaten by the pace of Steve Bourne's pass.

Capper figured in a good attacking move with Jon Beech and Dave Holland and again went close but saw his effort saved.

Combining better, Crewe forced two short corners, Capper almost converted the second on 33 minutes with a high hooked shot which was just parried away on the line.

In the final minute of the half Ashworth fired a scorching shot across goal, only to hit the post, and the visitors missed another chance to break the deadlock with an ineptly taken short corner.

On the resumption Crewe were again pegged back as City packed their 'D' but defended well and began to push forward with Holland combining well in good runs with Neil Darling and Capper.

He then produced a surge of his own but failed to release the ball early enough in front of goal.

Another chance to take the lead went begging as Crewe again failed to convert a short corner and at the other end keeper Ravi Kaler made a fine clearance from a City break.

Kaler again saved the day and a point for Crewe as he hurled himself full-length to thwart a City short corner.

Vagrants travel to Bebbington on Saturday.

Better stuff from the Seconds who deposed leaders Rhyl 1-0.

From start to finish Vagrants were strong with everyone throughout the team giving their all to win the game.

Crewe created the majority of chances and the break came on 20 minutes.

Graham Cooke's wicked strike forced the keeper into a fine save but Andy Ticehurst nipped in to hammer home the rebound.

Rhyl fought back but some strong defensive work from Chris Reece, Russ Howard, Andy Borrie and Rob Jepson kept them at bay.

Keeper Will Murphy was also called upon several times before Crewe wrapped up an excellent victory.

They entertain Neston South Wirral on Saturday; start 1.30pm.

Revenge for the Thirds as they returned to winning ways with a fine 2-1 result over Bebbington.

Neil Gibbons gave them the lead as he finished off a good break involving Phil Washington.

Bebbington levelled 10 minutes later but Washington sealed victory with a fine strike just before half-time.

A trip to Rhyl is next up.

Good news for the Ladies 1st XI too, 2-0 winners over Dalton.

Crewe dominated from the start and were focused on getting three vital points, Alex Tomlinson firing just over the cross bar in the first minute.

Goalless at half-time, forwards Bev Jackson, Denise Tuck and Dionne Johnson were electric after the break, causing a wealth of problems.

Ruth Kennedy finally put them in front, running down the back line before squeezing the ball past the keeper.

Crewe doubled their lead as Johnson finished off Kim Jones' excellent ball into the circle to seal victory.