Lee Bell said he was satisfied with a point at Newport County after spending the closing stages with 10 men.

The Railwaymen hit the front through Christopher Long but Will Evans levelled for the hosts just after the hour mark.

Bell’s men grew stronger towards the end and looked the most likely winners of the final game of 2023.

But when Zac Williams hobbled off and could not be replaced due to Crewe having previously used three substitution windows, they had to stand strong.

The Manager said: “In the end I’m delighted with a point but for large spells I thought we were excellent. We produced good moves and had 22 shots.

“We gave a scruffy goal away again but I felt we’d go on to win the game until we went down to 10 men.

“Now, I’m celebrating the players because what they produced when we were down to 10 men, withstanding everything they threw at us, showed the character of the players. This is a group that is sticking together and they are giving everything. 

“We spoke before the game about being brilliant at the basics and we matched Newport in every department – their physicality and set-plays. I don’t think we lost a second ball in the first half. For large parts, we were back to what we are. 

“We just need a bit of luck – I feel like I must have done something wrong to be getting the amount of injuries and illnesses we have, and the type of goals we are conceding. But it will turn.”

Bell confirmed that Williams has injured his right ankle – not the left ankle that he hurt at Harrogate in October and subsequently missed about six weeks of football.

The homegrown defender will be assessed ahead of Bradford City’s visit on New Year’s Day.