Dario Gradi says that Bournemouth's experienced forward Steve Fletcher was the difference as his Crewe side went down 2-1 at Gresty Road this evening.

Fletcher scored one direct from a corner and was then heavily involved for the second created for Anton Robinson. Luke Murphy pulled one back with a splendid effort but we couldn't find another to salvage a point.

After a 7th home league defeat, Dario told crewealex.net: "We were decent throughout with looking terrific but then we have played better. The pitch has been better as well and it did have a bit of frost in it.

"In the end though the old man did us twice and that was the difference. I think if he had been playing for us we would have won the game. Calvin Zola moved about quite a bit and had his moments but their front two were a threat which we knew they would be. We gave them chances and Fletcher took advantage of that, scoring one and making the other.

"I thought we might have played another ten minutes extra time and maybe then we might have got the equaliser, at one point it looked as if the ball was just sitting there waiting for some one to kick it in at the end!

"I'm not criticising the players though, I thought Carl Martin came on and was immaculate, I'm delighted with him, and that is probably the best I have seen Luke Murphy play for a while. You wouldn't put money on Luke to score a left footed shot like that too often.

"We can't blame the early injuries, if we hadn't had those, Luke wouldn't have come on and scored - but it doesn't look like they will be out for too long. Danny O'Donnell has got a knock to the knee and Ashley Westwood looks to have done some damage to his ankle ligaments, they certainly won't be fit for Tuesday.

The gaffer added: "We have no reason to be upset, we're disappointed we didn't win - but the players gave their all and it was a decent game of football and a decent game overall."