Davis praises players after narrow win

Crewe manager Steve Davis praised his players' composure under pressure after they earned a slender 1-0 advantage in the first leg of their npower League Two play-off semi-final against Southend.

Adam Dugdale headed the only goal of a game Crewe dictated for long periods before a late rally from the visitors failed to level matters. The result extends Alex's unbeaten run to 17 matches ahead of Wednesday's return leg at Roots Hall - the last place Davis' youthful charges tasted defeat back in February.

"It's fantastic thing for the players," he said. "They'll learn a lot from today having not been in this situation before.

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