Gradi alarmed by Alex defending

05 February 2011 19:30
Crewe boss Dario Gradi warned his side`s defending was leaving him fearing a relegation battle rather than a promotion tussle after they were beaten at Rotherham. The Alex appeared to be heading for a point after Ajay Leitch-Smith`s suspiciously offside equaliser had cancelled out Nick Fenton`s opener. But two goals in five minutes in the closing stages from Adam Le Fondre - his 19th of the season - and Ryan Taylor handed the Millers a 3-1 triumph and left Gradi tasting the bitter pill of defeat. And after Tuesday`s 6-2 hammering at Northampton, Crewe have now slipped out of the play-off places to eighth. Gradi said: "It looked like we were going to get a point. We worked hard, particularly in the second half, got a good goal and I thought we would hang on because we didn't look in any trouble. "But it happened again. We let in six goals in the week and three more here, we can't go anywhere like that. That's relegation form. "You can look at the play-offs, but I am still looking at relegation because teams are still doing well down there, so if we are going to defend like that we could be in a bit of trouble."

Source: PA