DAVE Artell says Crewe didn't deserve to fall to a late 1-0 defeat at Hull.

The Alex boss was surprised by Mallik Wilks 81st-minute diving header which clinched victory for the hosts as he felt the game was heading for a goalless draw.

He watched his side create the better chances in the first 45 on their first visit in more than 14 years to the KCOM Stadium with Owen Dale denied by keeper Matt Ingram and Mikael Mandron inches away from connecting with Oli Finney's cross.

Artell said: "It was an unjustified result. We certainly didn't deserve to lose the game and if anything we were the better team in the first half and created better chances.

"There was nothing much in it in the second half and I didn't see a goal coming from either team.

"We were terrific defensively, but goals change games."

Wilks, who was denied from close range early on by Alex keeper Will Jaaskelainen, settled the affair when he connected with substitute Thomas Mayer's cross from the right, condemning the Alex to their second defeat from their opening two games.

It meant that Hull maintained their 100 per cent start to the season and boss Grant McCann said: "We were not as good as we have been but we dug deep after the Leeds game in midweek.

"We were playing against a very good team. You've got to give credit to Crewe for the way they play and they will cause teams problems."

Hull: Ingram; Emmanuel, Burke, de Wijs, Elder; Smallwood, Docherty, Honeyman; Wilks, Magennis (Scott), Lewis-Potter (Mayer 64). Subs: Long, Coyle, Batty, Alfie Jones, Callum Jones.

Crewe: Jaaskelainen; Ng, Beckles, Offord, Pickering; Wintle, Murphy (Zanzala), Finney (Ainley); Kirk, Mandron, Dale (Lundstram). Subs: Richards, Lancashire, Sass-Davies, Johnson