Defender Billy Sass-Davies may have scored his first senior goal for the club against Lincoln City at the weekend - but the Welsh youth International says it counted for little as Crewe exited the Carabao Cup at the first round stage.

Sass-Davies is now looking forward to another chance to stake his claim for a first-team place against Bolton Wanderers in the Checkatrade Trophy.

Following his goal against the Imps, Sass-Davies told us: “I was delighted to score my first goal for the first team but it was disappointing to lose the game and not go through.

“It was a tough game against a League One side and I thought we matched them for large parts of the game. We were disappointed with the goals we conceded, especially one from a set-piece.

“We worked on our own set-piece, so it was nice to score with a header. It was a great delivery from Kirky (Charlie Kirk) and it was nice to get there first.

“Now I have to prove that I am ready to play and ready to make that step up into League One. I want to play as much as I can and when those chances come along I have to take it.

“There are a number of centre-halves at the club now, so the competition for places is really good and you have to play well to get into the team and stay there.

He added: “All I can do is train well and look to improve every day I can.”