On loan midfielder Simon Walton is hoping that Crewe Alexandra can make it a hat-trick of wins this evening as Chesterfield visit the Alexandra Stadium. Walton scored his first goal for the club on Saturday to seal a fantastic 3-2 win over an in-form Northampton Town side and Walton says that the belief is returning to the dressing room.

Walton told the club's official web-site: "We are heading in the right direction. Slowly and surely we are getting there. The desire and belief is in the dressing room and there is still a lot of football to be played yet so we are not ruling anything out.

"We have now beaten two of the in-form sides in the division and have proved that we can compete with anyone in this league. We had a test on Saturday because we went 2-1 down but we stuck at it and got the win. That said a lot about the spirit and character of the team.

"We have been coping well defensively and the centre-half's deserve great credit for that. They were have done very well in the last two games and Steve Phillips was excellent for us on Saturday. They could all be proud of the way they performed."

Walton scored a fantastic winner with a dipping half volley from 30 yards out and the on-loan youngster from Plymouth Argyle was understandably delighted that his first goal for four seasons secured such a memorable comeback.

"It was all a bit surreal to be honest but I thought we scored three good goals on Saturday. Westy's were very good and the team play for both of them was good. It was brilliant to see my shot go in. I think I have a decent shot on me. Some go close to the goal and some don't. That one did and I was pleased it earned the team three points.

"I think it is the first time I've had a shot in 10 games so the ratio isn't that bad!"

Walton is now looking to inspire the team to another three points tonight against a Chesterfield side with strong play-off hopes of their own.

Simon said: "Chesterfield are a good side and the one thing we know about this league, is that every game is tough. We have gone to their place and matched them, and we have done well against some of the better teams in the division this season.

"We are getting there and have nothing to be afraid of. If we can continue to do the things we are good at then there is no reason why we can't win again."