CREWE Alexandra manager David Artell was full of admiration for Newport County AFC and manager Michael Flynn after his side’s 2-1 win at Rodney Parade, writes Josh Thomas.

The Railwaymen recorded their first victory in Newport since December 1987 and have now won four of their last seven games to move away from the League Two relegation zone.

County are without a home win since January 19 and have now won only one of their last 12 matches but Artell had nothing but high praise for his opposite number after goals from Harry McKirdy and Jordan Bowery had earned the visitors three points.

“I like Michael, Lennie [Lawrence] and Wayne [Hatswell] and you can see why they win games of football,” said the Crewe manager. “Michael’s got them playing a brand of football that is effective.

“That’s why they are in this league and that’s why they stayed up last year when the odds were against them.

“They’ve got some big physical players and you can see why they win games of football.

“I thought we stood up to it terrifically well and I thought the two centre-halves and to a man across the pitch it was a physical test.

“You know on another day the ball might have fallen to them and might have been a draw but I have to say I thought we were the ones trying to play football and fully deserved the victory.”

Crewe Alexandra, who earned a 1-1 draw with 10 men against County at Gresty Road back in August, are now up to 17th place in the table – nine points above the bottom two.

“I said to the boys it was the best performance of the season,” added the ex-Gibraltar international.

“It was I wouldn’t say a vintage Crewe performance but I daren’t think how many balls they put into our box.

“It wasn’t for the lack of trying and we worked our socks off.

“We found it extremely difficult because we’ve got young players who aren’t physically developed and we are trying to make them good footballers as opposed to men.”

It was only the third time that the Exiles have lost at home in the league this season and they host Coventry City on Good Friday aiming to get back to winning ways.

“If you have only lost three at home all season then you are doing something right,” said Artell.

“That’s because of the way they play and how effective they are, so all credit to them.”