Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell praised the delivery of George Cooper after he helped create both of Chris Porter’s goals in the 2-2 draw with Mansfield Town. Cooper’s corner on the stroke of half-time was won initially by centre-half Michael Raynes and Porter used all his experience to head past Conrad Logan for the opening goal.

Cooper’s superb cross just after the hour mark allowed Porter to notch his second goal of the afternoon and it was just a shame that we couldn’t hold onto that lead long enough to make it more uncomfortable for the pre-season favourites.

Artell told the club’s official web-site: “Coops’ delivery all afternoon was terrific. He has put some great balls into their box.

“He probably wasn’t in the game as much as he would have liked and he was disappointed afterwards but I said to him afterwards that he had been involved in creating both our goals, he has created a number of other chances and he nearly scored the winner himself late on.

He added: “Mansfield probably spent much of the week planning to stop him because that is what clubs do when they play Crewe but he has still provided quality when we have needed him to.”