MANAGER Dave Artell wants to see a greater work ethic from his Crewe Alexandra players in when they host Leyton Orient on Saturday, kick off 3pm.

The Alex go into the game at Gresty Road having taken just one point from their two games over the Easter weekend.

After drawing 1-1 with Notts County on Good Friday, Crewe travelled to Somerset on Easter Monday but returned having been beaten 3-0 by Yeovil Town.

With a seven-point cushion separating them from the relegation zone with three games of the season remaining, The Alex are still not mathematically safe from the drop but they can secure survival with three points against rock-bottom Orient on Saturday.

Victory would also confirm their visitors’ relegation from League Two, but Artell says a much-improved performance is his priority.

“It’s not pre-season friendly time and we will be rolling our sleeves up and working a lot harder on Saturday,” he told crewealex.net.

“It was dire from us on Monday and we gave Yeovil too much respect.

“We gave Yeovil the same sort of respect as we’d give Brazil and only about three or four of them came out with any sort of credit.

“There were not many positives and when we serve up a performance like that then they best get ready.

“It was unacceptable and we got what we deserved.”

Goals from Matt Dolan, Jean-Louis Akpa-Akpro and Otis Khan saw the Glovers stretch Crewe’s winless run to four games.

The Alex sit 19th in the League Two table following a performance described by Artell as the worst since he took over.

“I am not one for excuses. That is not my style but we have got to work a lot harder than that,” he said.

“For me that was the worst since I took over. It was worse than Exeter, the second half at Hartlepool and at Accrington.

“They can have off days but they have got to run around because they are of no benefit to the club if they don’t.

“We looked good on the ball at times, but we didn’t threaten their goal enough.

“It isn’t about coming here and playing some nice stuff and passing the ball about, it is so much more than that.

“We had a job to do and we what we served up was awful today.

“They have to be at it next week. I will give the benefit of the doubt to some, but others I can’t.”

Striker Jordan Bowery will miss the Orient game as he is ineligible to face his parent club.

Meanwhile, The Alex will check on the fitness of skipper George Ray, who was forced off on Monday with a back injury.

It is thought Artell will give his captain as much time as he needs to prove his fitness.