Crewe 1 (Artell 37) Oxford United 1 (Constable 72) TEN-man Oxford United had to settle for a share of the spoils after battling back superbly to rescue a point at Gresty Road this afternoon.

It was no more than they deserved after dominating large parts of the game.

However, it looked like United's unbeaten away run would come to an end as they trailed with 20 minutes left. However, James Constable then lashed in the equaliser on 72 minutes to send United's fans ecstatic.

Then just to make it more interesting, Constable was sent off late on for a second yellow card.

There was a surprise change to the line-up with Alfie Potter taking over from Matt Green who dropped to the bench.

The first half started at a frantic pace with United's defence having to clear Ashley Westwood's corner in the first minute.

And the hosts kept up the pressure, with Mark Creighton heading a dangerous ball from Clayton Donaldson away, before Harry Worley crowded him out as he headed for goal.

United were starting to exert themselves with Asa Hall and Josh Payne pulling the strings in midfield.

Crewe's fans were starting to get frustrated with a number of misplaced passes.

Constable had a shot charged down at the other end on his 100th appearance, while minutes later Dave Artell had to clear up after the former Kidderminster man combined well with Tom Craddock.

Oxford were stroking the ball around with ease, with Josh Payne flashing the ball over the bar after some lovely play in midfield.

But on 37 minutes, Crewe took the lead when Artell headed in Westwood's corner. It was the first away goal United have conceded on their league travels.

United were then forced to hold on as Crewe looked for a second.

After the break, only a briliant save from Ryan Clarke denied Donaldson as he broke for goal on 53 minutes, before Shaun Miller flashed a shot wide after United failed to clear a corner.

Potter was starting to have more of an influence and Crewe had to defend well to keep him under control, so it quite a surprise when he was replaced by Jack Midson as United hunted an equaliser.

United were lucky not to concede a second, when Donaldson's cross just eluded the on-rushing Miller.

Matt Green was introduced to the action for Heslop and looked quite lively.

United were pushing hard for a leveller and it came when Constable lashed the ball home after keepr Rhys Taylor kept out his first shot from a pass by Tom Craddock.

It was no more than United deserved for their positive play.

Both sides then went for the kill.

Crewe thought they had a second, but had the goal disallowed for offside, though it looked as though Lee Bell handled the ball anyway after Donaldson fired goalwards.

Midson managed to get in front of the keeper, but could get a good enough cross in.

United were reduced to ten men when Constable was sent off for a second yellow card having earlier been booked in a clash with keeper Rhys Taylor.

Green then did brilliantly to force a corner as United pushed for a winner, with five minutes added on for stoppages.But United held on to preserve their unbeaten away run.