New signing Ben Nugent catches the eye as Crewe keep clean-sheet against the Vale.

Steve Davis was delighted with the debut of Ben Nugent after the towering defender only signed a week ago. Nugent was thrown in at the deep end after only five days of training with his new team-mates.

The former Cardiff City defender was close to winning the sponsors’ man-of-the-match ahead of the impressive Ben Garratt, as Crewe managed to pick up an opening day point thanks to a clean-sheet against our near neighbours Port Vale.

Nugent impressed in central defender alongside George Ray up against the physical threat of our former loanee striker Uche Ikpeazu.

Steve Davis told crewealex.net: “The most pleasing thing from Saturday was the clean-sheet and the point. I thought the back four were excellent because they had a lot to contend with and a lot of decisions to make.

“I was really pleased with Ben because he has only had a few days training with us. It was a bit of makeshift back four because of that but they deserved their clean-sheet.

“Considering that he had only been with us for a few days, I thought Ben was terrific. He won his headers, made some timely tackles and interceptions and made some excellent clearances inside the box.

The boss added: “He is a strong lad and did what a proper centre-half should do. We will have more time to work with him and as a defensive unit, but as debuts go he did well for us.”