David Artell was pleased that his Crewe Alexandra side showed their battling qualities to keep a clean-sheet and collect a deserved point against a ‘powerful’ Shrewsbury Town side.
Genuine chances were few and far between in Saturday’s goalless draw at Mornflake Stadium but Crewe showed that other side of the game to make sure we earned a point.
After the 0-0 stalemate, Artell said: “We had 14 lads who put a right shift in to make sure we didn’t get beat. If you are not going to win the game, then it is important not to lose it and I think our lads showed that in abundance against a powerful Shrewsbury side.
“It was tough and they are 4th in the form table for a reason but our lads stood up to that and said this is our Football Club and gave everything they had to make sure we didn’t lose. In that respect it was very pleasing, for us to show that side of the game.
“Yes, there will be criticism that we didn’t play as much football as we should of and didn’t pass the ball as well as we can, but it was a real battling performance from us and for me after the Charlton game it was a more pleasing performance in that respect.
He added: “We had players playing for the shirt and that is what we will need. It made me a proud may I must say and we have to show that side again at Cambridge and produce more quality on the ball when we do have it.”