Defeat cruel on Crewe Alexandra, says Dario Gradi

Gradi's side dropped to 11th in League Two after losing to Stevenage

Crewe Alexandra manager Dario Gradi says that Saturday's 1-0 defeat at home to Stevenage was "cruel" on his side.

Scott Laird's 87th-minute goal condemned the Alex to their first home loss of 2011 and extended their winless run to four games.

"I'd have settled for a 0-0 with five minutes to go," Gradi told BBC Radio Stoke. "It was a cruel game for us and sometimes you get those cruel games.

"It wasn't a great performance but I don't think we deserved to lose."

The defeat has left Crewe lying 11th in League Two, five points adrift of the play-off places.

The game saw Crewe top scorer Clayton Donaldson return to action after completing a three-match suspension.

"I thought he passed the ball much better in the second half than he did in the first half," said Gradi. "He's always a threat and he's always looking to get in behind.

"His link-up play is not going to be terrific but he linked up better in the second half."