Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell could not hide his disappointment after his side couldn’t follow up a superb 2-0 win at Chesterfield with another at Cambridge.

The Alex survived a first half barrage to go in at the interval only 2-1 behind thanks to a fine finish from captain Chris Dagnall but we couldn’t make some early pressure in the second half count and our former player Uche Ikpeazu sealed the three points with a powerful header.

Following the 3-1 defeat at the Abbey Stadium, Artell told the club’s official website: “We shot ourselves in the foot again and we don’t half give ourselves massive mountains to climb.

“Let’s be brutally honest they should have been out of sight in the first 25 minutes but credit to our players they got themselves back into the game and we had chances in the second half. I don’t know how it’s not gone in for us with a couple of scrambles and their goalkeeper made one terrific save.

“Saying that 15 minutes at the end of the first half and 20 minutes of the second half is not enough. We have to remain effective throughout and they didn’t have to work hard for their goals. We made Uche look unbelievable because we didn’t play well enough against him.

“We took the kick off and then didn’t touch the ball again until it was in our net. It came from a throw in deep inside their half and we had ample opportunities to do something about it.

“If you don’t want to be ready at 3pm then let me know. If you are not ready for Monday then let me know.

The Alex boss believes that we were beginning to get ourselves really back in the contest before Uche sealed the points with his header.

“We shot ourselves in the foot again when we were in the ascendancy and it should be basic defending. It was too easy for them and we are in a position to be giving away goals like that.”