Hereford 1-1 Crewe

Crewe managed to avoid a third successive away defeat but a point at Hereford leaves us trailing in the play-off race.

If we were ever in that race we are now most certainly outsiders. After a run of six unbeaten in December defeats on the road to Macclesfield and Dagenham have soured the feelings at Gresty Road. Tuesday night was a good chance to get back on track against a Hereford side who had lost their previous four but, for whatever reason, we just don't have that quality edge that typical play-off contenders have to see us dispatch the poorer sides.

We were perhaps unlucky to go behind at Edgar Street, a blatant handball by Marc Pugh started for the move for Constantine's opening goal four minutes to half time, it was a bit of bad luck and poor refereeing we didn't need but we had enough possession to hit back - we just didn't have the quality.

The second half was perfectly set up for the Alex, four minutes in with Donaldson converting the equaliser, it was the chance to take the game by the scruff of the neck. We failed to capitalise however and both teams settled for a point.

Dario said he was pleased to just stop the rot but on the larger scale it may well be the beginning of the end as far as this season goes. Now seven points off the play-offs everyone around us has games in had over us, games in hand that will certainly extend the gap between us and seventh spot and knock us down a couple of positions over the next few weeks.

All hope of success isn't completely lost. Play to the death, of course. With three success home games coming up - Darlington, Bournemouth, Torquay - there's a good chance of 7 to 9 points for the taking and that would certainly keep us in with a shout.

You just have to ask yourself; can we keep up any sort of momentum for the rest of the season considering another stutter will almost certainly leave us to play out the rest of the season as mid-table fodder?

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