Gradi won't blame his shell-shocked troops

02 February 2011 12:00
Crewe manager Dario Gradi admitted it was a night to forget for his side following the 6-2 defeat at Northampton. Alex took an early lead through Ajay Leitch-Smith before new signing Shaun Harrad and Michael Jacobs put the Cobblers 2-1 ahead. Crewe should have equalised from the spot but Ashley Westwood's penalty was saved by Chris Dunn and three goals in four minutes from Dean Beckwith, Andrew Holt and Abdul Osman put the game out or reach before Billy Mckay added a sixth 10 minutes from time. Antoni Sarcevic scored a late consolation for Alex. Gradi said: "It wasn't a night to remember but, in a funny way, I was pleased with the players. Everything that could go wrong went wrong, apart from the first goal. "It should have been 2-2 at half time but, for some reason, Ashley Westwood changed his mind with the penalty. "It was one of those nights when players made mistakes and each one they made we got punished for, but I was pleased with the way they kept going and didn't lose their heads. We continued to try and play good football and get the ball forward but we lacked in the final third."

Source: PA