Crewe Alexandra’s assistant manager, Kenny Lunt, says that tonight’s opponents, Exeter City, are one of the best sides we have faced this season. The club’s drew 1-1 at Gresty Road back in October in what was also a top of the table clash and everyone was impressed with the way the Grecians performed at our place, especially in the first half.

Ahead of tonight’s intriguing fixture, Lunt told the club’s official website: “Exeter are a really good team. They are competitive and effective. They can mix it up and make things difficult.

“They were good at our ground earlier in the season. They really pressed us in the first half and made things difficult. They had the first half and played well. They could have scored more than the one goal they did, but we were better in the second half and could have scored more than we did, so I think in the end a draw was a fair result on the day.

“I think they are one of the best teams we have played this season, if not the best, and they have been up there with us all season.

“It looks like it will be another tight game between two good sides but we have shown before this season that we are good enough of putting on a performance away from home and getting the three points.

He added: “That is what we will aim to do again at Exeter because it is three points up for grabs, like it is was at Morecambe on Saturday and will be on offer against Stevenage this Saturday.”