Crewe Alexandra manager Lee Bell said that Swindon Town are not a team that can be underestimated following their 0-0 draw on Saturday.

On a strange day in which the icy conditions and thick fog made for an unfamiliar start and a one-hour delay to the action truly getting started, Crewe and Swindon shared the points once again this season.

Tom Nichols and Chris Long both had big chances in the second half but neither team made the most of them.

After the game, Bell told club media that he believed Swindon were a very strong side and could not be seen as a soft touch despite their lowly league position.

He said: “What I would say is that you cannot underestimate them, they have got a good team.

“The league position does not reiterate some of their players that they brought in at the start of the season.

“I think that they have done three teams in a row here [at The Nigel Eady County Ground].

“[Did anything please you?] That we got a clean sheet. That is what I asked the players for before the game.

“They have been a danger from set plays in recent weeks and the pleasing thing was that we managed to nullify that and keep a clean sheet.

“We were probably lucky to escape with a point on the chances that both teams created. If they had their shooting boots on then they probably could have got a couple.

“It can’t be anything to do with what happened before the game because both teams had exactly the same and they showed more energy.”

Bell also heavily praised the staff at Swindon and the officials for their work getting the game played.

He said: “What I would say is Swindon have been top draw, really, the ground staff have done an amazing job to get the pitch ready.

“The referee has been excellent in terms of his decision-making and what he's done, he gave the game every chance. And because of that, we've had a game of football. The only one in our league today, I think.

“So I think the decision-making, what they've done, they've been brilliant.

“The staff here have been excellent, they have fed us and kept us warm this morning when we were around so I can't complain about anything that anyone's done.

“I was amazed at how good the pitch was given the frost when I got here this morning.”