Gradi refreshed by young players

Defender Matt Tootle made his first team debut for Crewe at Northampton

Caretaker manager Dario Gradi says his love for the job at Crewe Alexandra is helped by seeing youngsters like Matt Tootle make their first team debut.

"That's the fun of being at Crewe," Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke.

"That's why it's important to do well and to get us out of trouble so that I can continue to enjoy it."

Defender Tootle, who replaced the injured John Brayford, impressed in his first start for the Alex in their 2-2 draw at Northampton on Saturday.

Crewe are still 17th in League Two, six points above the relegation zone, but Gradi said: "You've got to focus on enjoying the football because obviously the situation that we're in is a difficult one."

Meanwhile, Tootle, 19, said that he relished the opportunity to start at Sixfields.

"I wasn't nervous when Dario told me I was playing, I was just excited," he said.

"I just had to get my head on straight away because I was buzzing I was in the team.

"When I got my first touch I just wanted to do it properly and not do anything stupid, and then after that I could enjoy it because in the first half we were outstanding."

The Alex were 2-0 up at half time, but a second-half brace from Northampton striker Adebayo Akinfenwa meant they had to settle for a point.