John Marquis had a second half penalty saved as Pompey were unable to make their dominance count at Crewe.

The visitors looked in control for much of the Gresty Road contest, but could not find that all-important goal.

Will Jaaskelainen was the Railwaymen hero, keeping out Marquis’ spot-kick, as well as efforts from Jack Whatmough and Ronan Curtis.

Danny Cowley made two changes from the side that were beaten by Burton on home soil at the weekend.

Marquis returned from a three-match ban to lead the line, with Andy Cannon dropping to the bench and Curtis moving back to his more familiar position out wide.

The other switch was enforced, with Lee Brown replaced at left-back by Charlie Daniels after injuring his hamstring.

As part of the period of national mourning, a minute’s silence was held ahead of kick-off in memory of His Royal Highness The Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh.

Both sides then took a knee to once again show that there is no room for racism – or any kind of discrimination – in sport.

It has become a familiar sight for the Blues to dominate possession under Cowley’s charge and that continued against Crewe.

But for all their pretty passing play, there was not much to trouble Jaaskelainen until just before the interval.

Luke Offord did have to make a telling interception to prevent Ryan Williams getting on the end of a teasing Marcus Harness delivery.

Craig MacGillivray was also a virtual spectator, although Tom Lowery glanced a header wide from an Antony Evans cross.

There were six minutes tagged on to the end of the first half due to two injuries for the hosts, one of which led to Rio Adebisi being replaced.

And it was in that additional time that the Blues finally made a serious threat to break the deadlock, finishing with a real flourish.

A Daniels corner was nodded on by Sean Raggett and Whatmough’s shot was well saved by Jaaskeleainen.

The ball ran loose, though, and there was an almighty spell of pinball before the Railwaymen were able to hack clear.

Williams then slipped a neat pass through to Marquis, whose angled drive was kept out by Jaaskelainen low to the keeper’s right.

Half Time: Crewe 0 Pompey 0

The action slowed down again following the restart, with Pompey unable to build on their patient play once they entered the final third.

And there was a nervy moment at the other end when Tom Naylor lost possession inside his own area.

The Blues skipper would have breathed a sigh of relief when the ball was fed to Owen Dale, who promptly fired straight at MacGillivray.

Pompey were then guilty of their own piece of profligacy as Williams lifted the ball into the centre and Marquis rose to head into Jaaskelainen’s arms.

The striker was soon given another chance to score, as Luke Offord failed to deal with Daniels’ long ball and Curtis was brought down by the keeper.

Referee Darren Drysdale took a few seconds before pointing to the spot, but Marquis’ penalty lacked power and was comfortably saved by Jaaskelainen.

The Crewe stopper received more praise a few moments later, instinctively sticking out a hand to keep out a deflected Curtis attempt.

Loan duo Harvey White and George Byers came on for Ben Close and Williams, with Cowley looking to inspire a breakthrough.

But the Blues were left frustrated in their search for a winner, as the Alex held on to ensure the spoils were shared.

Crewe (4-4-2): Jaaskelainen; Adebisi (Daniels 32), Wood, Offord, Pickering (c); Evans, Murphy, Wood, Kirk (Mandron 61); Dale, Porter
Booked: Lowery, Offord
Subs not used: Richards, Lancashire, Beckles, Ainley, Walker

Pompey (4-2-3-1): MacGillivray; Johnson, Whatmough, Raggett, Daniels; Naylor (c), Close (White 72); Harness, Williams (Byers 74), Curtis; Marquis
Booked: Raggett, Williams, Johnson
Subs not used: Ward, Bolton, Nicolaisen, Cannon, Stanley

Referee: Darren Drysdale