Boss Joe Royle hailed Dean McDonald after the youngster scored the Blues' winning goal at Crewe. The Town manager says he has been encouraging the former Arsenal trainee to provide more end product in addition to his ball-skills.

Royle said: "Dean's a very talented young player. He's an Arsenal kid who has come in and we've been on at him that he doesn't score enough goals. All I ever say to him is 'crosses or shots' and he got a great shot in.

"He's got a lot about him. He hasn't started the season greatly but I'm hoping he'll pick up from that."

The Town boss felt his side were well worth their win: "We controlled it from the moment they scored. They scored and for long spells, hardly saw the ball again.

"We are getting down to the boards again but the kids just keep passing the ball and running. They've got great energy and great desire to play.

"It's a great win for us. We've still got an awful lot to do and it's a big ask to reach the play-offs, but we're going to have a go."

Crewe manager Dario Gradi was pleased with his side's bright opening spell: "We keep making great starts, getting the goal. Some people thought their first goal was offside but we don't know.

"We've got to organise ourselves better. In the second half Jon [Otsemobor] got nutmegged. I've said to him he could be a terrific player, he's just got that flaw that he does get beaten every now and again.

"The difference between what we've been doing this year and what we've been doing in previous years is very small. We don't produce quality often enough and that's the players we have."

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