Half-time: Crewe 0 Rovers 0

Two of League One's most in-form sides could not muster a goal between them at half-time at Gresty Road.

Gas chief Paul Trollope unsurprisingly chose an unchanged side and bench after the weekend's 5-0 routing of Walsall.

Bristol Rovers threatened first when Saturday's two-goal hero Aaron Lescott raided down the left and his low cross was blocked for a corner.

The visitors' next corner was headed out to left winger Jeff Hughes who fired in a speculative 25-yarder that dipped late and clipped the crossbar before continuing over with John Ruddy a beaten man.

But Crewe served notice of their own potency form their first set piece. Steven Schumacker swung in a free kick that Steve Phillips couldn't deal with and Julien Baudet poked a shot just too high.

Rovers had the next effort when smart play from Hughes set up Chris Lines but his strike curled into Ruddy's arms.

Crewe then lost targetman Calvin Zola to a head injury to be replaced by Byron Moore and it was Joel Grant who had the next effort but his shot was dragged well wide of target.

Rovers were looking the better side without creating clear cut chances. Hughes failed to control in a good position, Rickie Lambert had a shot blocked and Duffy tried ambitiously from

30 yards on the angle but only hit the home fans and not the target.

Schumacher had a better sight of goal at the other end but his effort was deflected for a corner before Moore volleyed over.

Crewe thought they had taken the lead on the stroke of half-time when, from a free kick, Marlon Broomes' overhead kick was saved by Phillips for Grant to tap in. However, a linesman's flag signalled offside.

Crewe Alexandra (3-4-3): Ruddy; Broomes, Lawrence, Baudet; Brayford, Schumacher, Sigurdsson,

Jones; Grant, Zola (Moore 27), Donaldson. Subs not used: Collis, Woodards, O'Donnell, Miller.

Bristol Rovers (4-4-2): Phillips; Green, Anthony, Elliott, Lescott; Pipe, Disley, Lines,

Hughes; Lambert, Duffy. Subs not used: Jacobson, Hinton, Campbell, Kuffour, St Louis-Hamilton.