Losing run halted but Artell left wanting
CREWE manager David Artell cut a frustrated figure after his side drew a blank despite dominating against fellow League Two strugglers Yeovil.
The stalemate ended a run of four defeats for the home side but Artell was convinced it should have been all three points rather than one.
“We’ve dominated for long spells, especially in the first half,” said Artell. “If it was a boxing match it would have been stopped at half-time.
“They’ve come in at the break all chipper and I had a go at them and said, ‘Don’t think you’ve done well’.
“The game should have been dead and buried and you can’t dominate for 45 minutes and come in at 0-0.
“We kept at it and I never felt like Yeovil would score if I’m honest. But in the end we fizzled out and we didn’t have enough craft or guile to put the game to bed.”
Goalmouth action was at a premium until the 27th minute when Callum Ainley’s mazy dribble took him into the heart of the Yeovil box only to see Artur Krysiak block his shot.
Two minutes later Zoumana Bakayogo found space in the area but Krysiak saved again before the Ivorian quickly blazed another chance over the bar.
On 34 minutes Yeovil defender Nathan Smith survived a strong penalty appeal for handball with the home side piling on the pressure in the hope of a breakthrough.
A rare foray into Crewe territory saw Ryan Seager drag a shot wide, but the hosts’ domination continued after the break when Harry Pickering’s curling free-kick came back off the bar with a diving Krysiak forced off injured following his attempted save.
Shaun Miller wasted another opportunity and substitute Harry McKirdy buzzed around effectively, but this was a game with a blank scoresheet written all over it with the home side looking a team bereft of confidence.
“It was a battling performance,” said Yeovil manager Darren Way. “It wasn’t the most entertaining of games but I thought we finished the game the stronger team.
“Crewe are fighting for their lives just like we are so to come away from home and put in a really good, battling performance and another clean sheet is pleasing because this is a difficult place to come.
“I’m very proud of Johnny Maddison coming on in goal because I’ve had to manage him and he’s shown his frustration at times.
“But if you keep dreaming and keep believing you can get to where you want to be.”