STEVE Davis says Crewe Alexandra must use the incentive of playing former Premier League clubs like Swindon Town and Wigan Athletic to stay in the division this season, writes Jamie Davies.

The Alex welcome promotion-chasing Latics to Gresty Road on Saturday, as they look to recover from a 4-3 loss at the Country Ground last time out.

Nicky Ajose came back to haunt his old teammates by scoring the winner in added time after Crewe led 3-1 at the break.

Wigan, FA Cup winners in 2013, occupy a League One play-offs spot and are unbeaten in their previous six matches.

“Swindon were in decent form going into our game last weekend and now we have Wigan,” said Davis.

“That is why we want to stay in this league, we want to be playing the likes of Swindon and Wigan.

“It is another challenge for us and another big game, but we have to be positive and use it to turn our fortunes around.

“We will go out and try and win the game. That is what we always do.”

Brad Inman’s double at Swindon on Saturday delighted boss Davis, with Ryan Colclough also on target against the Robins.

“He was terrific, a real problem and thorn first half, and then fizzled out second half and didn’t get involved in the game as much,” said Davis about the 24-year-old Australian forward.

“He took his goals really well and showed great composure for both strikes.

“We’ve been looking for him to do that all season and he’s done it twice – we hope that gives him confidence.”

However that defeat, a 15th loss of the campaign, sees the Alex languishing seven points away from safety and from avoiding the drop to English football’s fourth tier.

Davis believes his side have let too many points slip from their grasp this season, making their survival bid that much harder.

“I hate losing games, any games, but more so when we have scored the first goal and look in control,” he continued.

“We have had too many games like that this season and we only have ourselves to blame that we don’t have more points and are not sitting a lot better in the league.

“If we had those extra 10 points or so then everyone would be saying we have had a decent season, but those small margins have made the difference.

“When you go in front in a game it should be enough not to lose, and when you have a two-goal lead then it should definitely be enough.

“We have allowed teams to come back at us and enabled them to score too easily against us.

“From looking OK and having a control on the game, we then lose that control and it has proved to be very costly in regards to our points tally.”