Boss says his young squad will learn from adversity and aims to come back stronger.

Steve Davis described Saturday’s defeat at neighbours Port Vale and subsequent relegation to League Two as a ‘sad day for everyone associated with the football club.’ Crewe Alexandra were relegated after a four-year stint at this level following a hugely disappointing season, but the Alex boss firmly believes that the club can instantly bounce back.

Following the defeat at Vale Park, Steve said: “It is a sad day for everyone associated with the club because we didn’t want to lose your League One status. We want to be playing football at this level and we want to be doing much better as well.

“It is hugely disappointing because this wasn’t part of the plan but we haven’t won enough games. We have fallen short in games and those games when we have led the lead slip or conceded late on have proved costly. I think everyone can see that we were in the position to have a lot more points than we have, but we haven’t managed to do it.

“We all share in the emotion of relegation and it is a horrible feeling. We don’t want to be feeling like this but it is not how we react to things. You have to learn from the adversity and our aim is to restore pride back into the club and come back stronger.

The boss added: “The ambition will be to build a team and a squad that is capable of getting us back up. We have got what we have deserved in the end this season but we have to come back fighting and become better.”