IT'S been a long nine months - 281 days to be precise without live football under the cloud of Covid-19.

But finally fans made their way back to Gresty Road today for Crewe's League One encounter with Northampton.

The government's decision to allow spectators into sporting events under strict conditions meant up to 2,000 season ticket holders were able to take up their seats.

Social distancing measures were in force and supporters, who had to agree to a spectator code, were spread out across the four sides of the ground.

It was back to normality as much as the current pandemic can allow, and while matchday experiences such as refreshment kiosks and bars remained out of bounds there was plenty to cheer on the pitch as Dave Artell's side grabbed a late winner in an exciting finish.

Dennis Allcock, Neil Cook and Chris Edwards told Nub News what it meant being back (see video above), while journalist and Opta statistics correspondent Les Scott said behind-closed-doors games had been like "something out of a dystopian novel".