David Artell feels that a number of the club’s youngsters grew in stature following the battling performance away at Exeter City.

Crewe had to fight back from a goal down against one of our main rivals for promotion and after Michael Nottingham had tucked home the equaliser with his first goal for the club, it was Crewe looking the more likely side to go on and win the top-of-the-table clash at St. James’ Park.

Over the course of the 90 minutes, a point apiece was probably right and Artell was delighted with the character shown in the hard fought 1-1 draw.

Artell told crewealex.net: “The likes of Paul Green, Ports, Hunty, Daniel Powell and Michael Nottingham have played in those sorts of games before. Stephen Walker definitely hasn’t. Pixie and Perry haven’t played in many like that. Offord hasn’t.

“James Jones probably has but lost. Probably had the plaudits but just did enough to lose it 2-1, that type of thing. Not anymore, those youngsters came off the pitch and must have thought we have given everything we had against a good team.

“They didn’t crumble in the closing stages and concede a late winner and they showed some real character. They were determined not to be beaten and showed some big hearts.

He added: “They will need that if they want to be successful in their careers, because they cannot just rely on their football ability and the technical side of the game. I thought they were excellent in showing that side of the game.”