David Artell revealed that his captain on the day, Perry Ng, came in at half-time and apologised for his part that led to Tranmere Rovers’ equaliser just before half-time.

Ng, who helped create the opening goal of the game when bringing the ball out and finding Ainley in a pocket of space, tried to link up with the midfield again but his pass was intercepted by Luke McCullough and transferred to James Norwood. Seconds later it was in the back of the Crewe net.

Artell says that he doesn’t want to discourage Ng from getting us playing through.

He said: “Perry made a mistake and he came in at half-time and held his hands up and all that. He said he was sorry and that was that. It was a disappointing goal to concede and Perry is culpable but it was an honest mistake because he was trying to do the right things.

“You can half excuse it because he was trying to link the path and play through the lines. His pass got intercepted and it has resulted in a goal.

“He had previously come out with it and found Callum in a pocket of space that led to the first goal.

David added: “I don’t worry about Perry. He didn’t let him bother him and he just gets on with it. He has a bright future in the game that lad and he has been terrific for us.”