David Artell says that the only real positive to take from Tuesday’s home defeat to Plymouth Argyle was the way his Crewe Alexandra started the first 20 minutes.

The Railwaymen deservedly took the lead through Chris Long’s close range finish after 15 minutes and dominated much of the possession before Plymouth Argyle grew into the half at the end of the first period.

Artell told the club’s official website: “The positive from the Plymouth game was the first 30, 35 minutes. We were the better side and were on top. We were doing stuff at the top end of the pitch.

“Plymouth had the penalty saved and Billy (Sass-Davies) made a great block to divert it over the crossbar. They came back into the game the last 10, 15 minutes of the half and then it went downhill from there.

He added: “We played well for the first half an hour but a football game is 90 minutes and we have to produce it over that period and if we can then we have a good chance.”