David Artell was delighted with Dave Richards’ full debut for the club at the Ricoh Arena on Saturday. The Welshman made a string of good saves to keep Crewe Alexandra very much in the game and he was helpless for their goal of the game after the ball rebounded so invitingly off the corner flag in the 10th minute.

Artell elected to give his regular goalkeeper Ben Garratt a breather and hand Richards, 23, his first ever start at senior level. The likeable Richards took his chance with both hands and was arguably our Man-of-the-Match on the day.

Artell says that Richards has to now build on his debut and continue to impress to keep Garratt out of the team.

The Crewe boss said: “If I didn’t believe in Dave and his capabilities then he wouldn’t be here. I wouldn’t have offered him a new deal in the summer.

“He made some really good saves on his debut. He made two one v one saves towards the end when we were chasing the game and he has made a good start I must say.

“It is only one game and the challenge for Dave is for him to repeat it and repeat it. He has proven his competence and now he has to keep that going.”