Ben Williams did well to save Sammy Clingan's early free-kick as Forest pressed for an opener at Gresty Road.

Joe Anyinsah crashed a shot narrowly wide as Crewe hit back, before Forest's Ian Breckin clipped a shot off target.

Williams saved from Junior Agogo, Chris Cohen's corner deflected off the crossbar and Breckin was denied at the end as Forest were frustrated.

Interview: Nottingham Forest boss Colin Calderwood

Crewe: Williams, Woodards, McCready, O'Donnell, Boyle, Lunt, O'Connor, Bopp (Lowe 82), Anyinsah (Morgan 66), Moore, Pope.
Subs Not Used: Williams, Carrington, Abbey.

Nottm Forest: Smith, Wilson, Morgan, Breckin (Thornhill 83), Perch, Davies (McGugan 75), Cohen, Clingan, Bennett, Agogo, Ormerod (Tyson 66).
Subs Not Used: Lockwood, Holt.

Booked: Davies, Cohen, Bennett.

Att: 6,314.

Ref: Jarnail Singh (Middlesex).