Crewe Alexandra boss David Artell has praised his goalkeeper David Richards for his ‘competent performance’ on his return to the starting line-up against Plymouth Argyle.

The Welshman had not started a League One fixture since October and he made two fine saves in the 1-1 draw with the Pilgrims – only being beaten by a dubious penalty award after 10 minutes.

Richards came into the first team ahead of Will Jaaskelainen and Artell believes that the goalkeeper did everything that was asked him.

Artell told the club’s official website: “Dave was competent in everything he did on Saturday. He did everything he had to do.

“If he had been beaten by one of the shots from distance then we would have asked questions of him but they didn’t. They were reachable and he saved them.

“His performance was pleasing.

“It was a straight forward decision. I don’t see a goalkeeper as any different. We thought Will needed a breather and we gave him one. He hasn’t done poorly, in fact he has been very good.

He added: “I’ve been saying for a while that we had two really good goalkeepers at the club and there wasn’t much between them. “