FA Cup: Radzinski goal leaves sides level

Crewe 1 Everton 1 (half-time)

Tomasz Radzinski equalised just before half-time to send Everton into the break on level terms after an early scare in their FA Cup fifth round clash at Crewe.

Dean Ashton had earlier given the First Division hosts a lead when he strode through the Toffees defence and finished coolly.

Everton found themselves on the back foot and Dave Walton headed wide from a good position.

Crewe took the lead after 23 minutes through Dean Ashton, a striker linked with a number of Premiership clubs.

Ashton went deep to win the ball off Mark Pembridge, raced forward and showed a cool head to send a shot into the corner beyond keeper Simonsen.

It was no more than Crewe deserved on the balance of play and Hulse almost added a second.

Everton were again guilty of ball watching but his effort found the wrong side of the target.

Crewe boss Gradi said before the game there hadn’t been much wrong with their performances of late, only the results.

That certainly looked the case in the first half when they had the majority of possession. Simonsen then had to react quickly to tip over a driven cross from Shaun Smith from the left.

Everton, however, drew level a minute before the break when Radzinski got away from his marker to head home a cross from Pembridge.