Alex Morris was pleased with the defensive shape of his Crewe Alexandra side after they contained a strong looking Barnsley side in a testing friendly at their Academy facilities.

The game ended goalless with chances few and far between for both sides and Morris was delighted with the way his side approached the test with a strong work ethic over 90 minutes in hot conditions.

Morris told the club’s official website: “We got what we needed from the fixture and it was really pleasing. That is the reason we selected this particular fixture in the first place. Barnsley are going to be a good League One side this season, who move the ball really effectively.

“They played 3-5-2 and that is a system we are sure to encounter in League Two and we wanted to face a good side, who play that well and pass the ball. We will be sure to come up against that type of game at times this season.

“We got the game we wanted and we were pleased with many aspects of our play, especially in dealing with their attacking play.

“They had to try and play around us rather than through us and we were really pleased with the shape and having that real desire to keep the ball out of our box and out of our net. It was a useful run-out and we limited their chances in the game.

He added: “We could have been better on the ball, but we remain confident that will come with the work we will continue to do out on the training ground. That will come over time, but there were many aspects of our play that I was pleased with, especially the shape and we way we were defensively when we had to cope with some of their pressure, especially in the first 25 minutes.”