Notts County manager John Sheridan bemoaned the concession of a 'naive goal' in a game he says his team 'should have won'.
The Magpies took the lead on 80 minutes through Jonathan Forte but were pegged back almost instantly by Crewe substitute Alex Kiwomya.
And Sheridan was disappointed to see his team concede so soon after their industrious search for an opener had come to fruition.
The manager said: "I think there was a bit of desire in our game and drive to get the goal - but the biggest downer is that we didn't see the game through.
"We got the goal, we should have won the game but we didn't because we conceded another very naive goal. I've just made them watch it on the DVD - it's criminal to concede so early after you've just scored.
"But the plus side of it is that the lads gave me their all. Things are edgy at the moment at home and we've got to be tough and fight through it. I'm sure we'll turn it around."
Jon Stead was replaced at half-time after receiving treatment and Sheridan says it is too early to judge the severity of his injury.
The manager said: "He's landed on his ankle. We'll have to assess it and see how he is.
"There are one or two who got knocks - I think Audel got a bit of a groin injury, Forte's got a couple of knocks.
"We've got a free week so we'll try and get them right for Portsmouth."