Crewe boss Artell blasts boo boys

Dave Artell told fans who booed his players to “stay away” after Crewe’s seven-game unbeaten run came to an end.

Goals in either half from Jake Taylor and Matt Jay secured Exeter a 2-1 win at Gresty Road and moved the Grecians into the top seven.

Artell said: “I heard boos at half-time too and they (fans) can stay away for all I care. If they are not happy with our home performances then they want to get their heads tested.

“If they want to boo Jordan (Jordan Bowery) and Kirky (Charlie Kirk) they want to give their heads a wobble. If they have had a bad day at work, and I am sure they have, then I will come and boo over their computer or assembly line. They don’t need to do it and I think the lads have got some credit in their bank and I am going to defend them.

“We weren’t quite at it and we were let down by our final ball. But Exeter are experienced League Two campaigners and they saw the game out quite comfortably.”

Crewe hit back through Chris Porter’s header soon after half-time to cancel out Taylor’s deflected effort which handed the visitors a seventh-minute lead.

But neat play from Jay restored Exeter’s lead in the 66th minute with the youngster’s low finish flying across keeper Ben Garratt into the far corner.

Crewe struggled to get back on terms to the frustration of some of the home faithful who targeted frontmen Bowery and Kirk when they were replaced by Owen Dale and Shaun Miller in the closing stages.

Exeter could have eased their passage too as Randell Williams was thwarted by Garratt with a far-post block in the first half and the same player thumped the home post after the break before departing in a reshuffle.

The Grecians were without Nicky Law and less than fit striker Jonathan Forte remained on the bench, but stand-ins Jay and Ryan Bowman made their mark on the game to earn their manager’s praise.

“Credit to Ryan Bowman who came in and led the line well. He was physical but he’s mobile which is one of the reasons we signed him as he can run defenders,” said Exeter boss Matt Taylor.

“Matt Jay’s finish was a sign of real quality, although maybe we got a little bit of luck for the first goal.”

And the Grecians manager added: “I told the players we have to turn our good performances into points. We’re coming down to the business end of the season and every point is important.

“Crewe could become a rival for the play-off places and it was important to put a marker down.”