Promotion-chasing Crewe dropped two points as struggling Northampton shared the spoils in a thriller at Gresty Road.

Crewe took the lead in the 39th minute after Northampton goalkeeper Glyn Thompson had picked up Paul Reid's back-pass.

Kenny Lunt rolled the free-kick to Dave Brammer and his chipped cross was flicked over the line by Steve Jones.

Two minutes later, Crewe added their second goal through David Vaughan.

But Northampton clawed their way back into the game with a controversial spot-kick, Marco Gabbiadini making no mistake from 12 yards.

Richard Hope levelled for Town before Jones restored Crewe's lead.

But Derek Asamoah had the final say with a vital equaliser for the visitors.

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Crewe: Bankole, Wright, Walker, McCready, Tierney, Lunt, Brammer, Sorvel, Vaughan, Hulse, Jones. Subs: Tomlinson, Ashton, Jack, Sodje, Rix.

Northampton: Thompson, Gill, Reid, Hope, Carruthers, Asamoah, Rahim, Harsley, Trollope, McGregor, Gabbiadini. Subs: Abbey, Frain, Stamp, Burgess, Lincoln.

Referee: P Taylor (Hertfordshire).