Crewe boss Artell hits out at ‘coward’ Carlisle forward Devitt

David Artell branded Carlisle’s Jamie Devitt “a coward” after the attacker lashed out with his boot to earn a red at Crewe.

Devitt netted the winner when the two sides met in the FA Cup three months ago, but he was the fall guy at Gresty Road this time when he kicked out at Perry Ng while the full-back was grounded.

The 18th-minute dismissal left promotion-chasing Carlisle up against it as they were already trailing to Chris Porter’s third-minute strike.

Although Gary Miller hit back to level, a late finish by substitute Shaun Miller won it for Crewe, making it five consecutive home wins for the Cheshire outfit.

Crewe boss Artell declared: “Jamie Devitt got sent off for kicking someone in the face which is just a coward’s way, but I thought we were controlling the game at that stage.

“You can see why Carlisle have been on a good run. It was two good teams, two committed teams – one committed to playing good football and the other committed to kicking the other team in the air.”

It proved to be Steven Pressley’s first defeat since taking charge of the Cumbrians. After Devitt’s exit he swiftly drafted on Gary Liddle to mount a five-man defence against a lively Crewe attack.

The visitors found themselves level when Miller moved into space and drilled a low shot from 20 yards across keeper Ben Garratt.

They were mainly on the back foot but posed a threat on the break and Aston Villa loanee Callum O’Hare fired into the side netting after the break.

But Porter should have restored Crewe’s lead when he headed straight at Adam Collin, who kept out a fierce drive from Paul Green but was beaten to the punch by Miller, who slipped the ball under the keeper for Crewe’s 72nd-minute winner.

Artell added: “We wanted a big one and little one up there and it got us a goal. It was a terrific touch from Eddie Nolan and Shaun has got in front of goal. Hopefully he will go on a scoring run like Chris Porter has.”

Carlisle’s loss was only their second in their last nine games and Pressley says he has seen enough already to suggest his men can fight for an automatic promotion place.

“We showed so much energy and desire, but when you play 70 minutes with 10 men it makes it a real challenge,” said Pressley.

“I’m really disappointed for the players as they couldn’t have given any more. We tried to catch Crewe on the counter and at times we looked very dangerous.

“If we had won the game we’d have been six points behind the league leaders and that would have been a major boost for us. Make no mistake we want to get automatic promotion and I have seen enough in my four games from this group of players to think we have a real chance.”