David Artell says that his Crewe Alexandra side produced a better performance with heart and commitment at the DW Stadium and the boss has told the players that the level of endeavour shown in trying to remain in the game against Wigan Athletic is the minimum in the last 14 games of the season.

Crewe were beaten 2-0 by the Latics with James McClean’s goal in the final 10 minutes ending our hopes of getting something from a tough encounter.

Artell told the club’s official website: “I thought it was a performance of heart and the second goal from McClean has killed us off. We got caught out at the throw-in for the first goal. We expected it to be a long throw and they worked it short and Lang has got across his man to get his head on it.

“It was our initial throw in and we gave it away cheaply and that was disappointing.

“We have to show that endeavour in all the remaining games. The players know that it is the minimum expected now. They are not daft and they know it was a better performance than the last two against Plymouth and Accrington.

“If we show that commitment then we have a chance of picking up some points because we won’t be going to Wigan away every week. The majority of the supporters at the game appreciated the effort the players put in. Our fans know when a performance is unacceptable and when the players give it their all.

The boss added: “The fact that it became a big ragged and that they were flagging in the last five minutes shows the effort they put in and most of the fans understood that and clapped them off at the end. I thought the fans were magnificent for us.”