Boss pleased that his Crewe side made promotion hunting Oxford work hard for their win last night.

David Artell praised his Crewe Alexandra players for ‘giving it a right go’ against one of the top sides in League One.

Karl Robinson’s Oxford United side won 1-0 at the Mornflake Stadium with substitute Ciaron Brown finishing off from close range after a short melee inside the Crewe box.

Artell told the club’s official website: ”I thought the result was unjust because after the first 15, 20 minutes I thought we played well and we dominated most of the second half. At the start of the half we were on top and they couldn’t get out of their half.

“We were an inch away from taking the lead when Chris Long’s shot hit the underside of the crossbar and minutes later it is pin-ball in our box and the lad sticks it in.

“The performance was better again. I thought we did well at Wigan for 85 minutes and we did well again against a good Oxford side.

“The lads gave it a right good go and we played some good stuff, especially in the second half. We have to maintain that standard and if we can then we have every chance of beating those sides that are not as good as Wigan or Oxford. That is what we will have to do.”