DAVE Artell admitted Crewe's defensive shape needs some work on it after Lincoln showed a slick touch around the box to advance into the second round of the Caraboa Cup.

A cup tie of two halves saw the Alex edged out (1-2) by a far-post finish from Tom Hopper and a bludgeoning strike from Lewis Montsma. Sandwiched inbetween both was a first senior goal for Billy Sass-Davies.

"They controlled the game for large parts of the second half, although there wasn't much in it before that," said Artell. "We didn't get it quite right for the first goal and our defensive shape should have been better for long periods.

"But we've got some new players and players that are still getting there. It's not something I'm massively worried about, we've still got some work to do and we'll get it done."

Artell's selection options were limited by a raft of niggles and knocks picked up in the last few days of training. Three of the club's five new faces were not involved, frontman Offrande Zanzala and defenders Donervon Daniels and Omar Beckles.

Sass-Davies, in only his fourth senior start, and Olly Lancashire, making his first start since last October, formed an unfamiliar centre-half partnership, but their manager was happy with their efforts.

"I thought the centre halves were fine," said Artell. "They were nice and calm in possession and didn't give the ball away too often. That was a quite pleasing aspect of the performance.

"We've got one or two who are four weeks away or something. A lot of them are just little niggles that have come in the last three days, it is what it is. I thought the players who were out there performed admirably.

"I'm not disappointed for the first game of the season. We lost that 3-0 a year ago so it is an improvement."

Sass-Davies, 20, hopes he can move closer to regular first-team football after spending parts of last term out on loan at AFC Telford United and Ashton United.

"I want to play as many games as I can and to prove to the gaffer I'm good enough. It was a good game to play in, a lot quicker than non-league and more physical," said the young defender.

Lincoln boss Michael Appleton praised his side's effectiveness on the flanks as they made the most of their second-half dominance.

He said: "We got stronger and stronger which just shows how fit the boys are at this moment in time. Some of the play in the wide areas around the edge of the box was excellent.

"We kept getting in time and time again around the edge of the box. Crewe pressed quite high and we knew that if we got the second pass right we would have opportunities and that was what happened.

"For us to concede with a free header in the six-yard box was very disappointing, but I suppose the way we reacted from that and the way we regrouped very quickly was good."