David Artell was quick to label Crewe Alexandra’s 1-0 win over Morecambe as ‘one of our poorer performances of the season’ but he was delighted that his side got over the line to claim all three points. A late goal from Shaun Miller was enough to give us all three points when the game had nil-nil written all over it for large periods.

Following the 1-0 win thanks to Miller’s close range finish from a corner, Artell told the club’s official website:  “The lads are disappointed in there but we were quick to point out the positives. We have won the game and kept a clean-sheet. We haven’t played well to win and that has to be a positive.

“When you don’t play well, it is important that you don’t lose it. We did that and that is pleasing. I said to them afterwards that Accrington and Luton play well every week. It is important to grind those type of results out.

“It wasn’t a good performance but it’s a good result. I don’t think we would have won a game like that before Christmas, so that is a step in the right direction. It wasn’t a Crewe like performance and the supporters expect a certain standard of performance, as do we, but we have to have days like that and make sure we do not lose.

“It was unlike Crewe but on too many occasions this season, we have played well and got nothing to show for it. If one game, we are terrible and cannot pass water, but we end up winning a game of football then you will take it.

“On the flip side, if you play like that and lose the game then it is a double whammy to contend with. It is something we will learn from.”

On his match winner, Shaun Miller, Artell said that it is a skill to finish of chances like that.

He said: “That is what he does and is there to do. He was in the right place at the right time to score. It that means standing still or producing a little movement to get the space it doesn’t matter, it’s a skill.

“It is something he has acquired over the years and through our Academy. If you do not develop that skill as a forward, then football has a knack of picking you up and spitting you out very quickly. Shaun has that skill and that has enabled him to score the number of goals he has.

“It is much easier to bring the likes of Miller, Dagnall and McKirdy on to give us some energy when we needed it. Dagnall and McKirdy ran themselves in the ground and tried to create something. I thought that Harry showed for the ball more than most in the last 15 minutes. He really wanted to get on the ball and make something happen.”