STEVE Davis could look for additional firepower next month as Crewe Alexandra’s relegation fears intensify.

The Alex were left to rue numerous chances to sink rivals Shrewsbury Town at Gresty Road, when Shaun Whalley’s last-gasp winner ensured yet more heartbreak.

The 2-1 defeat leaves the Railwaymen second-bottom of League One with 20 points out of 23 games – their lowest at the half-way stage since dropping into the basement division in 2009.

And the boss knows they’ve blown far too many good positions over the past three matches.

“Football can do that, it’s cruel,” he said. “It’s happened from a winning position at Doncaster and from a drawing position against Shrewsbury, but it doesn’t make it any easier to take.

“You can’t dress it up, whatever you say about the game it is very disappointing.

“For the first 20 minutes we looked like the side that played against Fleetwood, and Shrewsbury took the game to us which wasn’t our intention.

“We’d talked about the start and getting on the front foot to put them under pressure but it didn’t happen.

“After the equaliser we got stronger and stronger, they tired and we were a lot better. I don’t know how many chances we’ve had.

“The keeper has made some good saves and they defended for their lives.

“But they came through that period and it’s always a concern when you don’t score during a period like that because we can lose concentration and that's what hurt us in the end.”

Davis says Crewe need to start making those chances count.

“We have to be more clinical and that is something we need to address,” he added.

“But we also have to make sure we aren’t throwing games away.

“Their second was similar to the first and as a defence we needed to do much better.

“When you are in these situations you don’t want to lose and a defeat keeps us marooned down there.”

The boss could be forced to make changes for Saturday’s home clash against promotion-chasing Coventry City.

Veteran striker Ryan Lowe’s loan spell is over, but talks have taken place about extending that deal.

“He’s good around the place and good with the younger players,” added Davis. “They know they are playing with a lad who has had a really good career.

“I’ve got a bit more from him than I expected, he still has a big hunger and desire to keep doing well and that can rub off.

“He does it all in the right way.

“He isn’t hammering people, he’s trying to teach people what to do and get us through the games.

“We’ll see what we can do because he’s proved he can come in and do a decent job for us.”