Crewe's recent good form came to an end this evening as Drew Talbot's 27th minute goal was enough to give Chesterfield all three points and keep them on course for at least a play-off place. In a match limited of chances, Crewe did create one or two openings with Moore hitting the bar and Tootle so nearly snatching a point at the end.

After the narrow 1-0 defeat, Dario told crewealex.net: "I thought it was a decent standard game, particularly at the beginning. They passed the ball well and really tried to hit their front men to begin with, but both teams defended well and passed it.

"Byron was unlucky with his shot in the first half and I think that was probably the only shot we had. We didn't create anything. They were happy with the lead they had but we were poor in the second half. We just couldn't create anything.

"I asked them to play wide and with little crosses but they just didn't do it. You can't fault their efforts though. They are a bit tired with the build up of fixtures, but we were poor and very lightweight up front. Shaun (Miller) when he isn't threatening, he isn't doing anything.

"I thought Toots was going to save it for us at the end there, but at the end of the day it wasn't to be.

"The free kicks, I'm trying to ask them to stand in front of goal - can I get them to do it, no. No-one wants to head the ball, particularly in their box. We still have a few problems, but we are definitely defending better. It just seems to be three steps forward, two steps back.

Dario added: "Their goal did take a deflection to be fair, but at the end of the day, if we are in our box more than theirs they deserve the goal.