Luke Murphy led by example in Tuesday’s hard-fought 1-0 win at Shrewsbury Town and now the veteran midfielder of over 400 first-team matches in his career believes that Crewe Alexandra can do the ‘other side of the game’ to help us pick up more points.

The Alex had to really dig in to protect Owen Dale’s first half goal at the New Meadow and the 31-year-old, Murphy felt to come through that test was for him the ‘most satisfying victory of the season’ so far.

It seemed as those Crewe had quickly learned from the 4-1 defeat at Gillingham the previous week and were defensively sounded in obtaining that first clean-sheet in 15 league games.

Murphy told iFollow: “It was a tough game on Tuesday and we knew it was going to be tough. We had a game plan and had to use our brains quickly to beat their press and play more in their half of the pitch.

“We knew it wouldn’t be pretty at times but we had to do what we had to do, to make sure we got the three points. It was a really good away performance and we needed that win. We had recently gone 10 games unbeaten and there were a few draws in there, so it took a bit of gloss of that if you like, so it was nice to get back to winning ways.

“For me, I would say it was probably the most pleasing win of the season because we had to work hard and show that different side to our game.

“I think people look at Crewe and think about the free flowing football and creating chances and Tuesday night was far from that. So when you have defended well as a team and got the points it means more when the whistle goes at the end of the night.

“I think we showed that we can do the other side of the game and that will surprise a few. If we can do that more often, when we need to in those scrappy games, then that will certainly help us get more points.”