Davis on hsi ultra-competitor Mark Ellis

Steve Davis was delighted that defender Mark Ellis bounced back from his own goal against Coventry in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy 2nd leg to set us on the way to a fantastic 2-1 win over the same opposition on Saturday. Ellis’ back headed past his own goalkeeper Steve Phillips in the second leg of the Football League Trophy didn’t proved too costly as Crewe held on to secure a trip to Wembley in April.

Ellis has been a key figure in those victories over the Sky Blues, and his personal battles with Leon Clarke have been a highlight as Crewe Alexandra reached a Wembley Final and improved our own play-off hopes with that 2-1 win at the Ricoh Arena. Ellis popped up with a stunning equaliser just three minutes after Clarke had given the home side the lead. The defender adjusted his feet superbly to volley past a helpless Joe Murphy to draw us level before sub Max Clayton lobbed home the winner with 13 minutes left.

Boss Steve Davis has certainly been pleased with his summer signing from Torquay, telling the club’s official web-site: “Mark is a winner, who rolls his sleeves up and plays with his heart - sometimes more than his head. I would like him to play more with his head at times but that real fight is a good ingredient to have,

“That is why we brought him to the club from Torquay. He is still only 24 and still improving. He is more than meeting the demands of this level, he is a goal threat and it was a great volley on Saturday.

The boss added: “Mark told me he used to play as a forward and he has a good instinct round the box and he has added some crucial goals for us."