Bristol Rovers failed to find the net for the first time in a league game this season as Crewe survived second-half pressure to make it seven games without a win for the Pirates.

Paul Trollope’s side, who lost defender Steve Elliott to an early injury, failed to make too much impression as the visitors had slightly the better of things before the break.

The talking point of the opening period came after 38 minutes when Darryl Duffy was poised to break clear, only to be hauled back by Danny O’Donnel.

As last man, O’Donnel looked a certainty for a red card. But astonishingly, referee Richard Beeby appeared not to see the obvious tug and failed to even award a free-kick.

The decision infuriated not only the home crowd, but also Trollope, who was spoken to by Beeby after expressing his anger to the fourth official.

Rovers created more than enough chances to have won after the interval, but for once their finishing touch deserted them.

Danny Coles could only stab against the outside of the post from a tight angle after Craig Disley nodded across goal.

Crewe’s narrowest escape came when Craig Hinton’s header from a corner was cleared off the line by James Bailey and Rickie Lambert saw his goal-bound strike from the rebound deflected away for a corner.

Rovers keeper Steve Phillips made a superb reflex save to claw out Anthony Elding’s close-range attempt.

Jeff Hughes almost clinched victory in the closing minutes, but Steve Collins sprang to his right to tip away his header from Jo Kuffour’s cross.

Then the winger shot wide after David Pipe’s mis-hit shot had fallen to him 12 yards out.