Steve Davis' post-match reaction from MK Dons

Steve Davis was disappointed that a much better second half from his Crewe Alexandra side couldn't quite salvage a point at Stadium:MK. Crewe had enough half chances to have collected at least a point but returned to South Cheshire with nothing after slipping to a first league defeat of the season.

Following a 1-0 defeat, Steve told the club's official web-site: "I thought we played well enough in the second half to have got something from the game. We didn't play as well in the first half and didn't create too many chances. MK Dons were the better side in that first half but I was pleased that we restricted them to long range efforts. I had a word with them at half-time  and we probably deserved something from our second half performance.

"We had chances to have at least got a point and their goalkeeper made a good save to deny Ryan (Colclough). We had to change the personnel and system to do that but I thought that Vadaine made a difference up there and Ryan was a menace. I thought we should have had a penalty when Ryan got to the ball first and the goalkeeper has taken him out. I've watched it again and Ryan got it before he was cleared out. I thought the referee was poor with some of his decision making.

"Kelvin (Mellor) got a bit tight for the goal and that is the only time they really got in behind. It resulted in the only goal and he knows that. I stuck with the players because I think you need to. There is no point giving them two games and then taking them out. You sometimes have to show faith in them and give them that opportunity. You have to trust them.

He added: "I said to the players in the dressing room that they should be disappointed because we did enough to have got something out of it. We defended well, was much better with the set plays and the second phase and took the game to them a bit. I think there were real positives to take from the game. We have a free week to work on a few things and take that into next Saturday."