Crewe boss Lee Bell ‘absolutely buzzing’ for fans after ending wait for home win

Lee Bell admitted he felt for the Crewe fans who have had to endure a long wait for a home win.

A first-half penalty from veteran striker Kane Hemmings earned the Railwaymen a first league victory at Gresty Road in eight games, stretching back to March, as they consigned Morecambe to a fifth 1-0 defeat of the campaign.

The Cheshire side’s failure to spark in front of their own support dashed their automatic promotion hopes last term as they lost heavily to Forest Green, Grimsby and Wrexham and their first home outing this season saw them thrashed 5-0 by Chesterfield.

Their second win of the season was hardly achieved with a swagger and relied on some last-ditch defending and good goalkeeping from Filip Marschall in the closing stages, but Bell was glad to get over the line.

“It was really important that we got a win today. It wasn’t vintage and there was a bit of edginess from both teams. But it makes a difference to the fans as they’ve not seen us win a game at home since March,” the Crewe manager said.

“I’m absolutely buzzing for them that they’ve been able to witness a real hard-working performance from the players. The response after the Chesterfield defeat has been magnificent and that’s seven points we’ve collected since then.

“Morecambe are a good team, but they keep on losing by one goal, they’re just waiting for something to drop and it did for them in the second half when Filip made an important save.

“Hopefully the win will breathe a little more confidence into us and get us playing higher up the pitch. We’ve got above average touches inside the box for the league, but we’ve got to find a way of being a bit more ruthless.”

Crewe failed to threaten visiting keeper Stuart Moore until Shrimps defender Jamie Stott tugged Hemmings’ shirt as the striker looked favourite to get to a loose ball in the area.

Hemmings himself stepped up to convert the 43rd-minute spot-kick and he could have added to his tally in the second half.

But Morecambe fought back in the closing stages and Luke Hendrie could have punished an error by keeper Marschall but blasted wide.

Marschall then brilliantly kept out a Lee Angol effort and Shrimps substitute Adam Lewis went close several times with blistering strikes.

Morecambe remain rooted to the bottom of the table, but boss Derek Adams is convinced his side can turn things around.

“We were the better side and we had more opportunities on goal than Crewe,” said Adams. “We huffed and puffed in the first half and we didn’t have the quality from wide areas. We went more direct in the second half and caused Crewe problems.

“We could have had a number of penalty-kicks as well. But we have to be a bit cuter and better around the box as we are certainly getting in there.

“I’ve managed over 700 games and this team are a good side, they work hard, they run and they can play. I think their fortunes will change and when it does we will go on a really good run.”