David Artell described this afternoon’s 1-1 draw with Ipswich Town ‘as a cagey affair’ with a point apiece a fair over the 90 minutes. Crewe took the lead through Charlie Kirk but were pinned back with 15 minutes remaining after impact substitute Aaron Drinnan forced home an equaliser with a block tackle on Olly Lancashire.

Following the 1-1 draw with the Tractor Boys, Artell told the club’s official website: “It was a cagey affair in the worst possible conditions to play in. It was blowing a strong gale, so when we came in at half-time at 0-0 when it was blowing in our faces; it was like go on then.

“We got our noses in front and we should have seen the game out with 25 minutes to go, especially when they went down to ten men. We didn’t show enough quality in that period to go on and win the game.

“It was a tactical affair, 4-3-3 against 4-3-3 and I don’t think either team deserved to win. A draw was probably a fair result but we want to go on achieve things then you have to go on and win the game 1-0. We want to achieve things here. 

“You have to make sure that when you get your noses in front you go on and win the game 1-0 and don’t concede, so to concede through a tackle is even more disappointing. They didn’t have too many other chances that I can think of.

“When you put everything into the pot then it could have been better and it could have been worse, so to be disappointed that we have only drawn at home to Ipswich shows how far we have come.”