David Artell believes if defence can provide platform, our quality will shine in Exeter.

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has challenged his players to show their quality against Paul Tisdale’s in-form Exeter City side this weekend. The Railwaymen travel to St. James Park this weekend looking to get a first victory since November and Artell wants his players to fully embrace the challenge.

Ahead of our first trip to St James’ Park for the first time for 26 years, Artell told the club’s official web-site: “I think we are heading in the right direction. I think we are making small steps from where we were three weeks ago.

“Next up is Exeter. They are in-form and they are a good side but they are all tough games in this league if your mind is not on it.

“We have to go there with confidence and believing we can get a result. We were a bit unlucky not to be 2-1 or 3-1 up at half-time at Doncaster and they are the best team in this league by a country mile in my opinion.

“We will go to Exeter and respect them but we won’t fear them. We have got to go there and embrace the challenge. We have to go there, defend well and then hope our quality can come through.

He added: “Exeter did that against Portsmouth at the weekend and that is what we have to try and do to them. It’s in our armoury to do it.”