Miller scored for Crewe in both local derbies against Port Vale this season

Shaun Miller believes Crewe Alexandra still have a chance of making a late bid for a play-off place in League Two after Saturday's win over Port Vale.

The 22-year-old striker scored the only goal from the penalty spot in a fiery local derby at Vale Park.

And he told BBC Radio Stoke: "It's given us a great lift because Vale are looking to sneak into the play-offs.

"We've got quite a few more of those teams coming up and you never know if we can get on a good run."

With just eight games left, Crewe are 10 points off Aldershot in seventh position.

Miller, who also found the net in the 2-1 defeat against Vale at the Alexandra Stadium in October, held his nerve to score his sixth goal of the season, after a controversial penalty had been awarded by referee Chris Sarginson.

Vale were convinced that Gareth Owen's challenge on Clayton Donaldson was a fair one, but Miller was not so sure.

I say to my players that if they want to stick their leg out in the box, be prepared to give a penalty away Crewe manager Dario Gradi

"Clayton had him for pace and I thought he nicked a toe on it," said Miller. "It was close but the referee gave the penalty and we weren't complaining."

Crewe manager Dario Gradi said that it was the nature of the tackle which gave Mr Sarginson the opportunity to point to the spot.

"I say to my players that if they want to stick their leg out in the box, be prepared to give a penalty away," the Crewe boss told BBC Radio Stoke.

"The referee might give a penalty if they choose to make a rash challenge in the box, and that applies in both boxes."

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