Calum Agius’ close-range finish just after the hour mark put the Railwaymen ahead but their hopes of claiming back-to back wins were thwarted.

Reece Smith went close for the Sulphurites with an early volley which went just wide while Matus Holicek forced a save out of Harrogate goalkeeper Mark Oxley with a deflected shot from just outside the box.

But Lewis Cass wasted a good opening for Harrogate when blasting over after Jack Evans’ cross was helped on into his path.

Oxley excelled when palming away Mickey Demetriou’s 25-yard drive and debutant Crewe keeper Ian Lawlor used his feet to keep out Shawn McCoulsky’s low shot.

Crewe were the better side after the break but Lewis Billington shot wildly over from eight yards after Tommi O’Reilly pulled the ball back across the box.

But it was Billington who provided the precise delivery from the right flank for Agius to finish inside the six-yard box.

Crewe substitute Adrien Thibaut looked certain to score but his close-range header was kept out by some agile work from Oxley.

But Alex paid the price for not adding a second goal when Harrogate substitute Cursons fired Smith’s pull-back into the top corner in the third minute of added time.