Crewe Alexandra moved within three points of the 50 point mark after a thrilling 4-3 win over Mansfield and boss David Artell said we throughly deserved the points after a superb first half display. Goals from Jones, Bowery, Pickering and Kirk saw us 4-1 up at the break and although the Stags scored twice in the second half to set up a grandstand finish, the Railwaymen saw out the closing stages to secure the three points.
Artell told the club's official website: "People may look at the last 20 minutes and say you were lucky to hang on or whatever but were we heck. We were terrific in the first half, scored four goals and although I wasn't here during the golden age of Dario's teams, I would say that was one of the finest first half performances for a number of years. We were excellent and scored some excellent goals.
"The first half was some of the best football we have played and it goes to show how far they have come that they are disappointed in the dressing room afterwards because it went to 4-3. There was no over celebration, more of a round of applause. That goes to show what they are made of now because they have come to a club who want to get in the play-offs and won the game.
"Jonah has produced a moment of skill to feint to go one way and go the other to get a shot off. Jordan has got a poachers' goal and he is ticking awat nicely with his goals. Pickering's shot was unstoppable and Kirk has got another goal. Kirk is getting in the box more and is getting his rewards because of that. He has been terrific.
"We had a great chance to go 5-2 up but Jordan has missed a sitter in the second half and it perhaps made it look closer than it was.
"We had to dig in and see it through in the second half. They were men again. They stood up to it and have shown that they are capable of doing it. They did it at Newport and they did it again today. They did at Barnet as well, but I think the pitch and the decision killed us there."
"To a man again they have all played well and it is a great three points for us.
On our league position, Artell said: "I honestly don't look at the league table. I see it if it is put under my nose or someone tells me, but I just concentrate on us and making sure we put a performance on. I just concern myself about who is developing and they are all coming along nicely."