Boss says we should have made our first half domination count

Steve Davis says his side have to find consistency over 90 minutes if we are push on and perhaps break into the top six. Crewe Alexandra dominated the first period at Meadow Lane on Saturday and perhaps should have had more than the one goal to show for our efforts. Luke Murphy’s finely taken penalty came in first half stoppage time and Crewe were not clinical enough in front of goal to have killed off an out-of-sorts Notts. County.

After converting to 4-4-2 at the interval, the home side were certainly more effective. They drew level after a defensive mistake from Adam Dugdale and could have gone on to win the game. Davis says he had warned his side of the forthcoming change but we couldn’t reproduce our first half form.

After the 1-1 draw, Steve said: “I had a go at them at half time and said we could do even better, create more chances. I was looking for that reaction and for us to push on.

“I was looking for perfection but we couldn’t reproduce it and that has been the case a few times this season. I don’t know why that is but we have to conquer it as a team.

“We lacked a bit of quality to punish them, we need to be more clinical if we are going to win games comfortably. I was still pleased with a point because Notts. County is a massive club with a massive budget compared to ours.

He added: “We have come a long way since the first game of the season when they beat us at home. The players have grown in stature.”