David Artell was an intrigued observer at the top of the table clash between Mansfield Town and Lincoln City on Monday evening and the Crewe Alexandra boss was impressed with David Flitcroft’s Stags.

Crewe travel to the One Call Stadium on Saturday aiming to build on an emphatic 6-1 win over Crawley Town last time out.

David told crewealex.net: “It was a very physical game between Mansfield and Lincoln and they showed that they are both hard to beat. That is why they are up there. They have done that home and away and shown that consistency.

“Mansfield are well organised and have skill and flair to go with it with the likes of Grant and Walker. They are also a threat from corners and set-pieces. It is obvious that they do a lot of work on them and that is something we will have to be aware of.

“We will have to avoid giving away silly free-kicks and corners in the first place. If we can go there, like we did last season, and play our game then hopefully we have our own players than can hurt them as well.”