Dario Gradi says his side deserved something from this five-goal thriller at Cheltenham but was suitably impressed with the way Cheltenham went about their buisness especially in the first half an hour.

Dario told crewealex.net: "The lads will be disappointed that they didn't end up getting something from the game but the way Cheltenham started I thought they would go on to score 10. We were not in the game and were finding it hard to cope with their forward players and the number 11.

"I was impressed with Chelteham especially in the first half. They played some decent football and it certainly wasn't kick and rush from them. This league is getting better all the time and the managers are real students of the game.

"We came into a bit more before half time and then scored again early in the second half. We were threatening to score an equaliser right up until the end and hit the post, so I cannot complain about the effort from the players."

On the penalty incident that could have seen Crewe go 2-1 up in the first half, Dario said: "We have to cope with decisions like that and keep our heads. Matt was tearing his hair out and lost his head. I don't want him doing anything stupid and he has to focus again quickly because the referee won't change his mind.

"They can make their point and maybe that will persuade the referee to give us one or two decisions later on but I didn't think he did today. That is what can happen but you just have to accept it and get on with things.

"We have to learn from games like these ones and not let our heads drop because we have lost by the odd goal in both games."