Crewe Alexandra Football Club News

• Nickname:The Railwaymen
• Founded:1877
• Manager:Steve Davis

• Ground:The Alexandra Stadium
• Capacity:10,018

Gradi relieved with win

30 Nov 2006 - 12:28:48

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Crewe boss Dario Gradi admitted the Railwaymen were lucky to seal their passage into the area semi-finals of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy following their 3-2 victory over Port Vale.

Crewe had eased into a three-goal lead at Vale Park courtesy of strikes by Ryan Lowe, Rodney Jack and Luke Varney before two late replies from the home side set up a nervous finish.

''I thought we were lucky and if the game had gone on for another five minutes I think Vale would have equalised," claimed Gradi.

''For some inexplicable reason we switched off and that shows we don't have the strength of character in the team.

"At the first sign of pressure they wilt collectively and we didn't have a strong man out there."