[Phil Whalley]

Waiting beside the supporters' bus after the game, a very respectable-looking, middle aged Crewe fan said "Cheating bastards!" to me as she walked past. Given the state of Colby's shirt at full-time, after having it nearly dragged off him each time he challenged for the ball, what can she mean?

Testament, I think, to Stanley's game management, which has gone up a notch this season. That said, there were a few backs-to-the-wall moments, including one passage of play that saw Ross make two towering headers and a superb low block, followed by a brilliant Trafford save low down to his right. As Joe said to me at half-time, he's not at Man City for nothing.

I agree with those praising Morgan, who played perhaps his best game yet after putting in a solid shift midweek against Donny. He's good positionally and also organises those around him. A nod also for Butcher, who took a heavy knock early in the game from one of those saintly Crewe players that took him some time to run off, but his workrate in the middle alongside Pell is key to making this formation work.