CREWE Alexandra boss Dave Artell is refusing to get carried away despite his side’s recent upturn in form.

Seven points from their last three games, including Saturday’s 2-2 draw at Blackpool, have seen The Alex ease fears of back-to-back relegations.

They sit 18th in the League Two table, seven points clear of the drop zone, ahead of Saturday’s game against play-off chasing Stevenage at Gresty Road, kick off 3pm.

However, Artell says there is still plenty of hard work to do to completely stave off the threat of dropping out of the Football League.

“If they don’t run around and put the effort in for the team then they won’t play. It’s a simple as that with me,” he told crewealex.net.

“The hard work has given us a foundation and a platform for our qualities to come through, so it is key that it continues.

“We will have set-backs because football is a bumpy road.

“We have had a good week but that is all it has been, a good week.

“We are not getting carried away, there’s a lot of work to be done.”

Artell saw his side go 2-0 down before half time at Bloomfield Road, but Chris Dagnall pulled one back for The Alex just after the hour mark.

Oliver Turton slammed home the equaliser with two minutes of normal time remain to ensure Crewe left the Fylde coast with a share of the spoils.

“I just felt there was more to come from us and that if we increased our energy and belief, then we get something from it,” Artell said.

“We showed it in the second half and from the 46th minute onwards, I felt there was only one team going to win it and we were 2-0 down at the time.

“I didn’t think there was anything in the game in the first half and we ended up coming in 2-0 down.

“That is exactly what I told them. There was no ranting or raving.

“The only stern words we had were over the second goal because it was a typical Crewe goal to concede.”

One negative to come out of the club was the news that experienced midfielder Danny Hollands will be out of action for two months with a severe hamstring injury.

Artell says the club will do everything in its power to support the 31-year-old in his recovery.

“It’s not good news about Dan and I am devastated for him because he has been great for me,” he said.

“He is a top professional and a good player. He is very good in the dressing room and around the place. He has developed into a real leader.

“Not the ranting and raving type but he leads by example and has a quiet word when it is appropriate.

“He is away from his family and I know from experience, how tough that can be, so we will try and help him with that and during his recovery.”