Lee Bell: Crewe boss says squad in 'confident' place as League Two promotion push continues

Lee Bell was appointed Crewe Alexandra boss in November 2022

Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell says his side remain in a "confident" place as the League Two promotion race intensifies.

The Alex have a strong foothold in the play-off places and a decent shot of going up automatically, with the gap to the top three currently five points.

With seven matches left, Crewe are fifth after their 1-1 draw with play-off hopefuls AFC Wimbledon on Saturday.

"We should be looking up rather than thinking, 'What's to come?'" Bell said.

Bell, who wanted his squad to "relax" a bit after suffering back-to-back defeats by Morecambe and Doncaster Rovers that ended a run of seven wins in 10 games, watched his side fight back from conceding an early goal at Gresty Road to earn a point after Rio Adebisi's 13th-minute equaliser.

But a failure to find a winner meant it is only one win in the last four at home - and two in six - for the Alex, who stay seven points clear of Wimbledon in ninth and have a six-point cushion in the play-off spots to Gillingham - one place outside the top seven - who they play next.

"We're playing a team that's been in and around the play-offs all season," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke.

"They're a good team with an excellent manager, so there's no arrogance from our side that you should be just winning these games.

"Yes, our record over recent home games could be better - and should be better - but it's another game chalked off - we've still got a game in hand and are still in a confident place going into the next game.

"It was a really poor start but I thought the players worked their way back into the game lovely. They showed character and determination.

"It's another point on the board and we're in an excellent position moving forward."

Bell very happy with full-debutant Leigh

Bell gave a first league start to Preston North End loanee Lewis Leigh, with the Crewe boss "very impressed" with the 20-year-old's attitude since joining in January.

"He's bought into the group ethos over how we work and what we demand because I won't tolerate it when players are not pulling in the right direction, but he's been exceptional and hopefully he can put on some even better performances moving forward," Bell said.

"He's been really mature and brilliant with the players. It's easy when you come in on loan and you don't get the starts and the minutes that you want to go the other way, but he hasn't and that will take him a long way in his career."

Lewis Leigh has made four appearances for Preston including one in the Championship at Sheffield United in April 2023