Danny Cowley heaps praise on Crewe after Lincoln are well beaten

Posted Thursday, December 27, 2018 by PA

Lincoln boss Danny Cowley admitted his surprise at Crewe’s lowly position in the League Two table after the 2-1 defeat at Gresty Road.

Second-half goals from Chris Porter and James Jones gave 17th-placed Crewe the win, ending Lincoln’s six-game unbeaten run.

Cowley admitted: “It is probably the best League Two performance against us this season.

“Crewe played with a real intensity and pressurised us really aggressively, although I am bitterly disappointed with our performance.

“They would be top if they played like that all year and if I was there I would be asking questions because their ‘top end’ is very good.

“But we didn’t get to our levels and the less I say the better. We weren’t at it mentally, physically or tactically and that is why we lost the game.”

Leaders Lincoln – who remain four points clear of second-placed MK Dons – were fortunate not to be behind in the first half as Crewe played on the front foot but missed a succession of good chances.

Porter headed Harry Pickering’s cross wide from six yards before the latter’s fierce volley brought the best out of Josh Vickers.

Jones then failed to keep his head down on a far-post volley, but Crewe took a deserved lead when Porter rose the highest to flick in Pickering’s corner in the 47th minute.

It was the veteran striker’s first league goal since the opening day of the season and justified Artell’s decision to recall him to the starting XI.

Jones stroked home Paul Green’s squared pass with the aid of a deflection, making it 2-0 in the 72nd minute, with Harry Anderson netting a last-gasp consolation for City.

Crewe boss Artell said the shock win was coming after he felt his side deserved to put “four points on the board” from their last two games, 1-0 defeats at Exeter and Forest Green.

“We’ve dominated the league leaders from the first to the 97th minute and the win was thoroughly deserved,” said Artell.

“We got the performance and we got the result where as of late we’ve had plenty of good performances but not the results.

“We should have been in front before half-time. James Jones has whacked his volley over and we had one or two other chances.

“The second half was a bit of a grind as they got told to bully us, but we handled them well. They were whacking long balls in large parts and we were comfortable.

“Chris (Porter) led the line really well. I told him to stay between the centre-halves and he deserved his goal.”