MIKAEL Mandron conjured up a clever finish in Crewe's opening day draw with Cheltenham.

But a low key start, at least on the pitch, left many questions to be answered about the Railwaymen's long-term prospects this season. While off-the-pitch developments have certainly hindered Dave Artell's immediate plans.

Charlie Kirk watched the 1-1 draw from the Main Stand and it is understood the attacker is ready to finalise a transfer-window move, with League One rivals Charlton Athletic - who made a move for Kirk last season - renewing their interest.

Only one of Crewe's summer signings, on-loan defender Kayne Ramsay, started the opening clash with defender Tommie Hoban also omitted from the 18, while Callum McFadzean, Shaun MacDonald and Chris Long were all on the bench.

Southampton youngster Ramsay, though, made a positive contribution to a first-half in which the returning Alex fans in a crowd of 5,301 were able to savour Mandron's strike.

The frontman took Josh Lundstram's pass inside the box and showed his physical prowess to hold the ball up, turn then fake a shot towards the near post before findinig the far corner with aplomb (28).

But a moment of carelessness from Donervon Daniels cost the lead with the centre-half's wayward backpass slotted in by the sliding Andy Williams before keeper Richards could glove the ball (40).

Richards then twice thwarted the lively Alfie May after the restart. But neither side could find the quality in the final third to hit a decisive blow in a second half that petered out somewhat.

Afterwards boss Artell said the reasons for the omissions of Kirk and Hoban would become clearer in time.

But he admitted: "It's been a tough week. Once everything is sorted out we will make an announcement, but nothing has happened yet.

"I didn't think we deserved to win the game, it was just about a fair result. But I think one team was happy with 1-1 and one was trying to make it 2-1.

"For large parts of the game we were battling against ourselves, although we'll take the positive that we're one point better off than we were this time last year."

Crewe: Richards; Ramsay, Offord, Daniels, Adebisi; Murphy, Finney (MacDonald), Lundstram; Dale, Mandron, Ainley (Porter).

Subs: Flinders, Freestone, Tozer, Wright, Perry, Ebanks