Boss pleased with Martin's match winning save

Alan Martin earned great praise from his manager after his super stop with his foot prevented Tranmere Rovers striker John-Louis Akpa Akpro from giving the visitors the lead on Saturday. Just minutes later, Ronnie Moore’s side had Danny Holmes sent off for a second booking and Ryan Colclough fired the Alex in front with a wonderfully taken goal.

After defender George Ray had misjudged the flight of the ball, the Crewe goalkeeper stood tall to deny Akpa Akpro with an outstretched foot in a one-on-one situation and it is those type of match winning saves the manager has wanted to see from the former Scotland Under-21 International.

The Alex boss has gone on record to say that there is not too much dividing Martin and his current understudy Steve Phillips in the battle for the number one spot.

Steve told crewealex.net: “There a very small margins in football that can swing a game either way and Alan’s save was one of those moments. It prevented us going behind and minutes later they were down to ten men and a goal down.

“George lost a bit of concentration and misjudged the flight of the ball but Alan stood up well to make the save with his foot and kept us level. I was pleased for him.

“We have been waiting for those match winning type saves from him. He hasn’t produced them this season but he did on this occasion. That is what we know he is capable of.”