Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell says that youngster Owen Dale is continuing to push for a first-team start after he sprung from the bench on Saturday to play his part in our late comeback against Newport County AFC.

Dale replaced fellow winger Charlie Kirk and he played a part in winning a free-kick that eventually resulted in a penalty being awarded for a foul on George Ray and then he was in the ‘thick of it’ in that stoppage melee that was forced home by Callum Ainley to seal a 3-2 win.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Owen did well in the final third against Newport and affected the result. He was fouled for the free-kick that led to the penalty and he was right in the thick of it for the winner.

“There was one occasion when he chopped back when he could have crossed it and he didn’t stop a few of their crosses, so there is room for improvement there as well. On one hand he was good going one way but needs to be better the other way.

“Saying that he is still 19 and is still learning the game at that level. He has come on leaps and bounds over the last 12 months and that has a lot to do with loan spells at Witton and Altrincham.

He added: “He is coming along nicely and he has to keep it going.”