Owen Dale is firmly in the race to finish as the club’s top scorer this season. His fantastic brace at Charlton last night has seen him go level with Mika Mandron on 12 goals and with two games to go, and the desire to win the Golden Boot is intensifying between the two Crewe forwards.

Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell says that Dale has surprised everyone with his goal return this season after only scoring twice in 36 games last season in League Two before the season was prematurely ended due to Covid-19.

Artell says that the 22-year-old deserves that level of turnaround after working hard on his finishing in training and especially after training.

The Crewe manager told the club’s official website: “Owen has worked hard on his finishing and his mind-set when he gets into those positions. He is not so erratic now and he trusts his techniques more. He had good techniques before but he is a lot more controlled with his finishing now.

“He has come down a level and trusts his ability. He still means to score but he is now finding corners and his finishing is down to the hard work he has put him. He is reaping the rewards and that is the progression he has made.

“I don’t think anyone would have predicted he would got 12 goals in League One when he got nowhere near that in League Two but that just goes to show how a slight shift in mind-set and the practice has made.

“For a manager and staff to see that is very pleasing and hopefully he can get a couple more in the last two games.”