Crewe need to be more ruthless - Bell

Lee Bell replaced Alex Morris at Crewe, initially on an interim basis, in November 2022

Frustrated Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell says his side need to be more ruthless after seeing them miss two penalties in their home defeat by Barnet in League Two.

The Alex had looked on course for a fifth win of the season when Tommi O'Reilly's 20-yarder put them in front in the second half, before Lee Ndlovu equalised.

Crewe then wasted two chances to retake the lead when Josh March saw his penalty saved by Barnet goalkeeper Cieran Slicker before Slicker denied Max Sanders from the spot soon after.

Barnet then made sure the home side paid dearly for those misses when Ryan Glover grabbed the winner.

"It's about being ruthless in both boxes," Bell told BBC Radio Stoke.

"We had plenty of chances, you don't often see two penalties missed in a game."

After opening the campaign with four wins in a row, Crewe's league results have stuttered by comparison since.

Back-to-back losses brought an abrupt end to their 100% winning start and the Barnet disappointment was the Alex's third defeat in the last four, bringing their tally to one point from the last 12 available.

"I can say 'this was poor, that was poor' but we should be winning the game comfortably," Bell added.

"But you don't win games if you're not ruthless in the box."

Bell acknowledged the expectations of the club's fans have been raised by the way the team has started the season and knows they will be disappointed with Saturday's result.

"They want to see their team win, particularly after what we've served up over the first four games," Bell said.

"They want a continuation of that and we're working hard to do that. I have to be careful over how I'm reacting to it but we've got lots to work on.

"We're eighth in the league and we should be third but you don't win games if you're not ruthless in the box."