STEVE Davis insists his Crewe side can beat the drop.

Tuesday night’s 2-0 victory over promotion-chasing MK Dons lifted the Alex out of the relegation zone for the first time since October.

And now the boss wants his players to take that belief into three consecutive games against fellow strugglers with trips to Tranmere Rovers this Saturday, Stevenage next Tuesday and then a home clash with Sheffield United on Saturday week, February 1.

“To beat a team just outside the play-offs is very positive for us,” explained Davis.

“Now we have some big games coming up against teams in and around us.

“It’s a relief to climb the table, but we still have a lot to do.

“There will be times when others win and we don’t and then the other way around.

“It will be nail-biting, but I’ve made the players realise we have to do it now.

“We need to get out of this predicament.”

Goals from Chuks Aneke and AJ Leitch-Smith either side of the break secured three crucial points while hero Ben Garratt saved a 53rd-minute penalty.

“Chuks is very confident and that’s what he can do,” added Davis.

“His free kick got a little deflection but I don’t care.

“I was going to take AJ off at half time but he worked very hard and when he got his chance he took it well.

“I’m delighted for him because he’s our lad and we want him to do well.

“For their penalty, Mark Ellis has not stuck his arm out so don’t even talk to be about that decision. I don’t think the referee could even see it.

“I’ve congratulated Ben on the save and he’s had a decent game. We worked on how he can save them and he went early.”

Davis is likely to stick with the same side as they travel to old foes Tranmere – on the slide after just one win in eight games.

“We started slowly on Tuesday but we got ourselves going and got into the game,” he added.

“They were good technically, so we had to keep our shape and make it tight.

“The centre halves were magnificent and we were solid all over the pitch.

“Anthony Grant worked his socks off and George Evans got better as we went on.”

Loan front man Uche Ikpeazu is battling to make the squad after picking up an ankle injury.