David Artell gives us his post match reaction
David Artell was pleased with a share of the points as his spirited Crewe Alexandra side fought back twice against in-form Notts County.
Goals from Chris Dagnall and James Jones cancelled out goals from Adam Campbell and our former player Michael O’Connor and we were rather fortunate to escape a late penalty shout after Ben Garratt had appeared to have felled Shola Ameobi in the final minute. Referee Gavin Ward booked the Notts County striker for diving and it ended 2-2.
After the game, Artell told crewealex.net: “It was a good point for us. It was an awkward game against awkward opponents, who have been going really well under Kevin (Nolan). They are in really good form and I thought we coped with everything they threw at us but we have made two mistakes and we have been punished. They have scored two goals from them.
“It showed their qualities in them exposing our mistakes but we cannot afford to make mistakes like that. The lads showed grit and determination and we tried to get them to play a bit more. When we did play we looked a decent team but there is still work to do.
“We were twice behind and we came back well and we showed that resilience to get something from the game. I thought we deserved the point because we kept at it and kept plugging away, but if I am being critical we have to be better on the ball.
“I thought George and Ben looked after their two experienced strikers well. They are the focal point of their team and they play off them. We did that really well and we stopped them at times.
“Daggers took his goal really well. When players have time to think when they go through like that, it can make it difficult but he was really composed. He is an accomplished goalscorer and when we went through I was confident he would score.
“He was terrific for us, he sets the tone for the team and brings others with him. He also gets goals.
“Jonah has added goals to his game and for a midfielder to get double figures for the season is a great achievement. That doesn’t come easily. He has done terrific.”
On the late penalty claim from the visitors, Artell admitted he thought it was a spot kick. The Alex boss thought that Ameobi had fouled Ray in the initial build up, but says that Garratt did catch the Notts County forward inside the box.
Artell admitted: “I thought Ameobi had fouled George Ray and I thought Ben had fouled Ameobi and that is what I said to Kevin Nolan and their guys. Kevin obviously didn’t see the first foul but then I don’t want to talk about referees but I think we might have got away with one. “
The Alex boss also revealed that Ben Nugent will go for a scan tomorrow following his knee injury.