STEVE Davis has demanded improvement after Crewe Alexandra’s relegation fears intensified with a shock 4-0 defeat at Rochdale on Tuesday.

Ian Henderson’s two penalties plus a double from strike partner Joe Bunney left the Alex fearing the worst once more.

Saturday’s home clash against fellow strugglers Scunthorpe now looks key with the Railwaymen just four points clear of danger and having played one more than Leyton Orient in 21st.

Davis admitted there were no excuses after Tuesday’s capitulation.

“It was a disappointing result and performance from us,” he said.

“We’ve been beaten by the better side and we couldn’t cope with their movement.

“They wore us down in the end and we couldn’t match or live with their intensity. I’ve got no excuses.

“It wasn’t a night for pretty football. We wanted them to try and get the ball down and play but we couldn’t do that, “It was about winning those individual battles and not many of them did that.

“The two centre halves did more good things than bad. Ollie (Turton) competed until he went off injured.

“Other than those two, there wasn’t enough from us. It became a bombardment and we couldn’t cope.

“We did have two decent chances that could have changed things. Nessy got in but hit it with the side of his foot when I thought he was going to lift it over their keeper.

“Nicky had a chance in the second half but we didn’t create enough.”

Davis says Crewe must rediscover their recent form against the Irons at Gresty Road.

“We didn’t match their work effort and I was disappointed we didn’t show how much we have improvement from earlier in the season," he said. “We’ve improved but we haven’t shown it against Rochdale.

“However we cant dwell too much on this because we have to get ourselves going again on Saturday.

“We won’t brush it under the carpet either.”

Alan Tate will be available after his one-match suspension while Lauri Dalla Valle could also come return following a hip injury.

Coach Alex Morris believes Crewe’s future is in good hands despite suffering a heavy FA Youth Cup quarter-final defeat at Manchester City.

Tom Lowery’s stunner gave the underdogs an eight-minute lead against a side made up of £30m worth of talent on Monday.

However City’s class told as they completed a 6-1 victory at the City Academy Stadium.

“To bring as many supporters as we did was unbelievable,” said Morris.

“It’s a team that cost millions and millions to put together so our boys have done really well to get to half-time at 2-1.

“It will have been an invaluable experience for them.”