David Artell praised the fighting spirit of his side as they twice came from behind to salvage a deserved point from the Valley. His in-form winger Owen Dale was once again amongst the goals, scoring a wonderfully-taken brace to seal a 2-2 draw against a Charlton side placed just outside the play-off places. It was no more than Crewe deserved for their efforts on the night with Dale twice equalising, with his second coming deep into stoppage time.

Following the dramatic draw at the Valley, boss David Artell told the club’s official website: “When you are losing with a minute to go you would take anything but I thought we were the better side on the night. I don’t think there is anyone who can dispute that.

“It is the same old problem. We have played well again without getting the points we have deserved. Their staff are saying that we are one of the best who have played down here this season and it’s not the first time we have heard that from opposition players but we need to turn those performances into more points.

“So there we have it, we have played very well again but haven’t won the game but I really enjoyed watching my team tonight. It was a tough watch on Saturday but we played like we can tonight.

“Charlton are a good team. They are close to the play-offs, so that is the disappointing thing that we haven’t won the game but that was a terrific watch and I thoroughly enjoyed watching us.

“Tonight we were excellent. We have come here and given Charlton a real good game.

On Owen Dale, the Alex boss said: “The first goal was a terrific move and finish. You have to play that well to score a goal against a team like Charlton. We practice that constantly in training so when it comes off in an game it is very pleasing.

“12 months ago, his finishing was more crash, bang, whallop but he is super calm now. He trusts his technique and it is a change in mind-set. He has scored 12 in League Two and that shows the development he has made.”