David Artell says that he didn’t consider handing Charlie Kirk his first league start of the season at Chesterfield as a ‘big decision’.

The Alex boss left out George Cooper for our Boxing Day fixture and Kirk repaid that faith with the decisive second goal in our 2-0 win.

Artell explained that Kirk’s work ethic out on the training ground coupled with his encouraging displays for the Under-23s saw him earn a recall to the starting line-up.

“People will say it was a ‘big decision’ but I just saw it as a decision, ‘admits Artell.

“Charlie has trained really well and looked good for the U-23s, so he deserved a chance.

“I don’t have any favourites. It is all about them working hard and taking their opportunities. It is the same for all of them.

“I thought he was our best player against Swindon when he came on and he was only on for half an hour. It didn’t do him any harm and neither did his performance against Chesterfield.

“Has he turned the corner? We will have to see but we know he is a talented boy and he has to keep working hard. He has trained properly and it has paid off with his chance.

The boss added: “I am paid to make decisions and the trick is to make sure you get more right than wrong.”