Although Crewe Alexandra have struggled for goals of late, David Artell believes that our real attacking intent in the second half against Oldham Athletic in the Checkatrade Trophy on Tuesday evening ‘was something like us again’.

The Alex boss and his staff were boosted by our second half performance against the Latics and although we couldn’t find an equaliser on the night there were some encouraging signs with Jordan Bowery, substitute Chris Dagnall, Zoumana Bakayogo and Callum Ainley all having genuine chances to score.

Ahead of our weekend clash with Stevenage, Artell said: “There are fine margins in sport and although we were much better in that second half on Tuesday, we couldn’t score.

“They should have been out sight at half-time because we didn’t perform in the first half but they weren’t and the improvement was there for everyone to see from us.

“Our attacking intent was much better and we deserved to get something from the game. Their manager (Richie Wellens) told us afterwards that we were the better team in the second half.

“We created a number of chances and that is what we have to take into Saturday. We were something like in that second half.

The boss added: “You don’t become a bad team overnight and you don’t become a good one either. We are all striving for what we were like in the opening month of the season. It hasn’t been smooth and I’m glad to see the back of September.”