Davis says new look back line stood up fine to Preston pressure

Although disappointed with the equalising goal we conceded against Preston North End on Sunday, Crewe boss Steve Davis was generally pleased with the way his newly assembled back line dealt with one of league’s top sides.

Crewe were caught out by a route one tactic when conceding that equaliser to Jermaine Beckford just two minutes after we had taken the lead through our own substitute George Cooper but the boss was more than pleased with another point to add to wins over Bristol City and Oldham over the festive period.

January. ^thAhead of the Christmas encounters, Crewe lost their vice-captain Adam Dugdale after he jarred his knee in training. He is facing a race against time to be fit in time for the visit of Gillingham on 10

At the same time, Alan Tate’s 93-day loan expired and then George Ray was dismissed at Oldham on Boxing Day for a professional foul.

Jon Guthrie has also been struggling with a flu bug and had to be withdrawn at half-time at Boundary Park.

The make-shift back line, which also included youngsters James Baillie and Greg Leigh marshalled the likes of Kevin Davies, Paul Gallagher and Beckford pretty well to collect a point.

Steve told the club’s official web-site: “On the whole we defended reasonably well against Preston. They made a number of blocks and headed most things out of the box. A bit of indecision cost us at the end and if we had managed to get that right then we would have perhaps gone on to win the game.

“It was a new back three for us. Anthony Stewart had to come in for his full debut due to injuries and suspensions. He only knew he was playing yesterday and Harry (Davis) had a new partner alongside him moving into the middle.

“Jon has been ill. We had to take him off at half-time at Oldham because he was unwell and struggling, and that was only two days previous to the Preston game.

He added: “I could only pick what I had available but we did have Toots back with us. We found it hard at times against a tough side but they deserve credit because there are not many better forward lines than Preston’s at our level.”