Battling Crewe guaranteed First Division survival with a precious point against a Sunderland side making hard work of attempting to reach a play-off place.
Jeff Whitley gave the Black Cats a deserved lead in a one-sided first half only for Dean Ashton to claim an unlikely equaliser and, but for the woodwork, the Railwaymen would have completed the double over their illustrious opponents.
Sunderland, without a win or a goal in their previous four matches, wasted no time in their bid to end the recent goal famine, attacking from the outset to create a number of good chances and forcing ten corners in a one-sided first half.
But all they had to show for their total dominance was Whitley's 24th minute strike and even then the dangerous Ashton almost brought Crewe level, twice forcing Mart Poom into excellent saves.
Kevin Kyle led 16-year-old Richard Walker a merry dance and with a bit of luck would have added to his 13-goal tally for the season.
The Scotland international fired high and wide in the first minute, set up Marcus Stewart and then forced Ben Williams into an unbelievable one-handed save when sent clear by Phil Babb.
Williams somehow kept out a Jason McAteer header, made a fine saving from Stewart's shot on the turn and prevented Whitley from notching his second goal of the game just before the break.
But he was powerless to prevent Whitley from deservedly putting the Black Cats ahead following a patient build-up on the left. Stewart's cross found Whitley completely unmarked and the midfielder rifled a close-range shot into the roof of the net.
Ashton went clear in the third minute, Poom turning his angled drive against the outside of the post and behind for a corner and on the stroke of half-time fired straight at the Black Cats goalkeeper.
In between Crewe were kept very much on the defensive but with Walker spared any further embarrassment by manager Dario Gradi, they looked a totally different outfit in the second half.
Kenny Lunt fired a 25-yard free-kick just wide and there was no lack of spirit or honest endeavour in their bid to get back on level terms as the home side failed to keep up their earlier dominance.
And it came as no real surprise when Ashton latched on to a throughball from Dave Brammer, held off Gary Breen, before confidently sliding the ball past the advancing Poom.
Sunderland pushed forward in the search of regaining the lead but were again caught on the break as Steve Jones was left with only Poom to beat but his effort came back into play off the post.
"I am happy, we can all relax now,'' said Gradi. "The pressure is always on the manager so I can't blame anybody else.
"We were under the cosh in the first half but we defended as we always do with great resolution, showed good spirit and we are never down and out.'' Sunderland need one point from their last two games to guarantee a top-six finish and manager Mick McCarthy hopes it comes sooner rather than later.
"We want to win both our remaining games and not just nick a point from somebody,'' he said. "I wouldn't say there is doom and gloom about the place, more a case of anxiety.
"I just think the number of games we have played has taken its toll. We have not taken our chances, not just in this game, and if there was a simple answer, I would put it right.'' MAN OF THE MATCH: Kevin Kyle - A real threat and handful throughout. His aerial dominance kept Crewe at full stretch and he was desperately unlucky not to add to his 13 goals for the season.