Crewe Alexandra manager David Artell was pleased that his side managed to ‘wrestle the initiative’ for the final 25 minutes of our final home pre-season friendly.

The Alex found themselves 2-0 down to Chris Hughton’s Nottingham Forest side at Mornflake Stadium but we gallantly fought back to draw thanks to splendid goals from Callum Ainley and Rio Adebisi.

Artell told the club’s official website: “There were aspects of our play that was pleasing. I thought we managed to keep going and tried to play the right way. We managed to regain the initiative in the last 25 minutes.

“The way we played and moved the ball gave us the foundation to do that. That is the way we want to play and try and win games.

“We looked fluid at times in the first half and disjointed at other times. It wasn’t quite happening for us but we changed one or two things at half time and the fluency was better. We were far better.

“We tried to play the right way and scored two terrific goals. The foundation was there for us to do that.

He added: “I was pleased with the way we finished the game and it was a pleasing game after a tough week of games.”