David Artell has told the club’s official website that he is looking for his team to play at the same intensity levels they showed in the second half against Shrewsbury Town. Crewe were trailing 1-0 to the Shrews at the half-time interval but after the boss had spoken with the players at the break, we certainly raised the tempo in the second 45 minutes.

Needing to score two goals to stand any chance of progressing to the knockout stages of the Checkatrade Trophy, Crewe had a real go, but were dealt a blow when Shrewsbury Town scored a second goal somewhat against the run of play.

Crewe did manage to get one back from Jordan Bowery but were once again left to rue a number of missed opportunities.

Artell told crewealex.net: “We had plenty of chances to change the complexion of the game but again we didn’t take them.

“I didn’t think we were at the races in the first half and we addressed that at half-time. We needed to raise the intensity and the tempo in our play and I think we did that.

“I thought we were the better team in the second half and we needed to take one of those chances before they scored against the run of play. I don’t think they had a lot of chances in the second half.

“At the end of the day we lost 2-1 and that is the name of the game but I was pleased with the second half performance. The intensity was much better and the effort was there.

“We were in a slow mind-set in the first half, it was if you could see the players thinking and that slowed down our pattern of play. We got our brains into gear in the second half and gave it a real good go.

He added: “You sensed the goal was coming for us and you sensed that we could get another, so there is improvement there. The opportunities were there and it is just about us taking them better.”