Steve Holland says he is satisfied with Crewe Alexandra's pre-season campaign, especially having the two stern tests against Hull and Preston so close to the big kick off. Crewe enjoyed a superb 4-0 win over Phil Brown's side at the Alexandra Stadium and were very much in the game against Preston until Neil Mellor was tripped for a penalty with just 12 minutes remaining.

Holland is now hoping that his side can take that encouraging form into the seasonal opener against Brighton this weekend.

Steve told the club's official web-site: "I am satisfied with the pre-season, but I'm sure all managers will be saying the same a this stage.

"We have build up to the opening game of the season gradually by playing inferior opposition in the first few games, scoring four and five goals.

"I knew the matches against Hull and Preston would be the real tests for us. To be 4-0 up at half-time against Hull was great and we were all delighted with the performance because we played some really good football.

"I thought the Preston game would perhaps be more of a difficult test because they were further on fitness wise than Hull. I was quite pleased with how the team played. We certainly were not poor and arguably had enough chances to win the game.

Steve added: "What did disappoint us was the two late goals we conceded. It was a timely reminder that we still have work to do because we don't want to be conceding goals like that at the end of games and wasting all our good work."