Town’s U21s were lucky to leave Gresty Road with a point on Wednesday night thanks to two second-half penalties from Darren McQueen and Stephen Hunt.
Crewe took the lead early on when returning defender Harry Davis who was unmarked head home on 14 minutes. Michael Crowe who was in goal for Town failed to make a basic save which gifted the Alex the best start imaginable.
Davis, who had been absent since March due to a knee injury, was causing problems for Town at both ends of the field.
A couple of minutes after his first, Davis almost added to his account with a low shot which was well saved by Crowe.
Crewe looked strong throughout the first half and with 17 minutes on the clock the Railwaymen doubled their lead through another defender, James Baillie.
A nice one-two on the right side granted Baillie access to the 18-yard box where his deflected shot found his way into the back of the net.
Ipswich, who were watched by manager Mick McCarthy, went into the second half two goals behind, however they pulled one back immediately on 46 minutes when the referee in charge awarded a penalty for Joe Kearne’s challenge on veteran Stephen Hunt.
Striker Darren McQueen, 19, coolly converted the spot kick sending Alex keeper Scott Shearer the wrong way.
The Blues were doing their best to get back into the fixture spending the majority of the last 20 minutes in the Alex half.
Ipswich were passing the ball well given the amount of possession they had, however Crewe were soaking up the pressure well.
Both teams were creating chances for themselves however no side made a definitive footprint in the second half.
Crewe came close to a third and potential match-winning goal after Callum Saunders picked out John Johnston from a left-sided cross but fired his promising 12-yard shot surprisingly over the bar and into the empty Gresty Road End.
Crewe continued to apply pressure with an attractive attacking brand of football but Ipswich had learnt from their mistakes from the first half and was dealing with the danger well.
Town were a better overall XI throughout the second half and were rewarded in the 89th minute when Blues striker Balint Bajner was fouled in the area and they were awarded a second penalty.
Stephen Hunt this time sent the keeper the wrong way to level for Ipswich in the closing stages of the match.
The 2-2 draw is a result with which the Railwaymen will be disappointed.
Ipswich however will be happy with a gutsy yet fortunate performance which sees them mid-table in the South Division of the U21 Development League.
Town’s next U21 fixture is against Swansea City in the U21 Premier Cup at Portman Road on Monday October 6th (KO 7pm).
U21s: Crowe, Hewitt, Kenlock, Sowunmi, Clarke, Stewart, Henshall, Benyu, Hunt, McQueen, Bajner.
Thanks to Crewe Tweeter Sean Dyer for the report