David Artell says that his Crewe Alexandra side have no alternative but to win at Doncaster this weekend and that the home side will be feeling the pressure side of the game as much as we are. A defeat for Crewe would certainly see us in League Two next season and even if we do win our first game in 9 games, results elsewhere could also determine our fate with four fixtures remaining.

Doncaster Rovers are currently a place above the Alex on 30 points and a defeat for them would make it increasingly likely that they will be relegated also. Doncaster and Crewe can still mathematically catch Morecambe, who’s 2-1 win over Oxford in mid-week saw them emerge from the drop zone and place Gillingham back in. All the five bottom clubs have five games remaining.

Artell told the club’s official website: “We have to win the game, we have no alternative. We have to win to stand any chance and we have the greatest opportunity we are going to get  because we are facing the club that is one place above us. We have to grasp that opportunity.

“We are two teams that have underperformed this season and they will be under the same pressure as us. They will know what is at stake and they cannot afford to drop points against the side that is below them. They are at home and they will be wanting to win to keep their own chances alive.

“We know what is at stake and they are in a similar boat to us.

“We will have to go there and be strong and resolute and make sure that we get over the line and break the habit of losing games.

He added: "We have to turn the corner as soon as we can and that has to be on Saturday."