David Artell hailed his Crewe Alexandra side as they deserved picked up all three points in this crucial bottom of the league clash. With the winner moving on to 40 points, there was plenty at stake at Gresty Road this evening, but two goals from man-of-the-match Jordan Bowery and another from Charlie Kirk sealed the valuable points for the Railwaymen.

It was no more than we deserved after a high intensity first half that threatened to blow Forest Green away. To their credit they tried to stay in the game and pulled one back on 64 minutes through Dayle Grubb.

Crewe deservedly saw the game through and afterwards a delighted Artell praised his team’s all round performance.

The Crewe boss told us: “I thought we were really outstanding in the first half and the only criticism was that we didn’t score more than the one goal we did. It is a bit ironic that we played as well as that in the first half and scored one but we then scored two in the second half.

“We flashed over a lot of crosses in that first half and I know the crowd thought we should have been on the end of them but we didn’t pick anyone out really. We needed a bit more composure there but we told them at half-time to be patient and it would come.

“Kirky has picked the loose ball up and his first reaction was to get it out of his feet and drill into the bottom corner.

“Jordan was a colossus for us tonight. Somehow he was dragged that energy out of himself after  Saturday. He was outstanding and he deserved his goals. It is now five in four games for us, so he is a on a roll and he has to keep that going.

“Harry was terrific with him, he knows he should have scored with the chance he had but he worked hard for us.

“We should have scored more goals than we did but we were outstanding in our defending in the second half. We stood up well and although they hit the bar towards the end, I don’t think they created too many more chances. It may have looked a bit more hairy than it did in the last 20 minutes but we were comfortable.

“I am pleased because we have got the points for our performance. We have played well this season and got nothing for our efforts. It is a big win but they are all big wins in the position we are in.”