Dario Gradi admits that he was a relieved man as his Crewe Alexandra side worked hard to pick up the point they needed to make sure we wouldn't be dragged into a relegation battle. The Alex boss praised his team's work ethic for collecting a point against an Aldershot side still in with a good chance of a top 7 finish.

After the 1-1 draw, Dario told crewealex.net: "I am relieved to have got the point we needed. I knew that it was highly unlikely that we would be dragged into it but I have been in football a long time and I know that highly unlikely things can still happen.

"We have been on a bad run and Grimsby and those below us have been on a fairly decent run, so we had to make sure we did it ourselves. I could have hugged the referee at the end when he blew his whistle because it is a worry and has made us a bit uptight.

"We didn't play particularly well here this afternoon but the players were fine and created a lot of good chances. Both sides did and it was one of those games when you thought this is it, this is it and the ball didn't go in.

"When we lost our two centre-backs in the first half, I thought it isn't going to be our day but I thought we restricted them in the second half. They looked a threat from set-plays and corners but we stood up to it well."

Now with three games to go, is the Alex boss prepared to give others a chance?

Dario said: "I thought about using John Brayford as a centre half in the last few games if anything happened to Mat or Harry and then we lose both of them, so we might have to use him there. Patrick came on and did enough to earn another chance.

"He certainly wasn't overawed by it and is no shrinking violet. He doesn't go to ground as much anymore and did well.

"We have disappointed our supporters over the last three seasons, we all know that, and our home form has been poor this season. We have a home game coming up next and although I might change one or two, I won't be making a lot of changes because we don't want to end the season on a poor run of form."