Crewe Alexandra 2 Mansfield Town 2

CHRIS Porter scored twice on his debut, but Crewe Alexandra twice surrendered the lead to draw their opening League Two game of the season.

The Alex produced a lively display at Gresty Road, taking the lead on the stroke of half time when Porter headed home after George Cooper’s corner was diverted back across goal by Michael Raynes.

However, title favourites Mansfield were level 10 minutes after the restart when Mal Benning’s cross was headed into the far corner by Danny Rose.

Dave Artell’s side pressed on undeterred and Porter was on target again just after the hour mark, glancing a header past Stags keeper Conrad Logan from another Cooper delivery.

This time, The Alex’s lead lasted just three minutes as David Mirfin ghosted in at the far post to force home a Joel Byrom free kick.

Artell’s men host Championship side Bolton Wanderers in a Carabao Cup tie on Wednesday, kick off 7.45pm.

Crewe Alex: Garratt, Ng, Walker, Raynes, Nolan, Ainley (Bowery, 80), Wintle, Lowery, Cooper, Porter, Dagnall. Subs not used: Richards, Pickering, Dale, Kirk, Finney, Sass-Davies.