ARTELL: RESULT WAS BETTER THAN ALEX’S PERFORMANCE

DAVE Artell admitted Crewe Alex had fallen below their high standards, but was pleased to see them earn reward from a 1-1 home draw with Blackpool.

The Alex took a 54th-minute lead in the League One clash through Mikael Mandron, but Neil Critchley’s side drew level in the 71st minute thanks to Grant Ward’s goal.

The Alex boss told the club’s website: “It was our worst performance of the season but our best result. We didn’t do enough with the ball and made poor decisions, especially in the first half. “We made more of a fist of it in the second half and although we didn’t play as well as we have done previously, we stuck at it and got a point.

“You also have to give Critch and Blackpool credit too. They made it difficult for us and had a lot of possession but saying that I don’t think they had many chances either.

“They probably feel a bit more aggrieved than us that they didn’t get the three points but I must give our lads some credit too because we haven’t been able to train and prepare like we are used to this week.

“That is no fault of our own, that is someone else’s fault and we had to get on with it. It has been a tough couple of weeks and we haven’t been able to put the work into them.

“I think it is a point gained rather than two points lost, but we took the lead and have had three clean-sheets on the bounce and have been hard to beat, so perhaps we were disappointed with the goal we conceded.

“It was a bit of scramble and we had chances to clear it and when we don’t, it usually drops to the opposition at some point.

He added: “Our goal was a terrific move and it was a great cross from Kirky for Mikael to volley home. We didn’t do that enough today but we were a bit underprepared. That isn’t an excuse, that’s just the way it was.”