Davis: Ray red not the Crewe way

Steve Davis said defender George Ray needs to learn to curb his frustrations after being sent off in a 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United.

Ray, guilty of an earlier trip to gift Sheffield United a penalty missed by Jose Baxter, picked up the first red card of his career after an angry exchange wit referee Peter Bankes in the closing minutes at Gresty Road. While it did not put paid to Crewe's chances of hitting back with an unlikely equaliser in an amazing 10 minutes of added time, it earned a rebuke from boss Davis and leaves him facing a three-game ban. "I don't know whether it was something George said or whether he put his hand on the referee," said Davis. "That's not our style normally and he has let the frustration get the better of him. "It is a harsh lesson for him to learn. It was difficult enough for us with 11 men, never mind 10. "The referee was a newcomer to the league and he was quite handy with his cards. "But we showed a lot of spirit and worked very hard to get something form the game. "We caused them more problems in the last five or 10 minutes of the game than the previous 80. "While they did control the game and pressed us high up the pitch, if we'd got a point I would have been delighted. "I changed our shape and got another forward on the pitch as I felt it was the right thing to do against them. "We couldn't pull it off, but I would have been pleased with a draw." The Blades took the lead in the 69th minute when winger Jamie Murphy tore away unchecked down the left wing before cutting in to tee up Stefan Scougall, who had the easiest of tasks finishing from the edge of the six-yard box. Blades boss Nigel Clough admitted his side should have ensured the game was safe before Crewe's late rally. "We should have won more comfortably than 1-0. It was a difficult game right through to the 100th-minute," said Clough. "Crewe were trying to get the goal back, but we'd have been out of sight if we'd not missed a penalty and wasted other situations. We could have been 2-0 up after four minutes. "But three points and a clean sheet is good and I am very proud the way we have played the last three games. "It was a very good performance and we are progressing. "We weren't right in pre-season as we had eight or nine players settling in. But we are hitting a bit of form now, although there is still a long way to go." Breaking news, transfer gossip, line ups and goal alerts from your football club - delivered direct to your mobile. Sign up for Sky Sports Alerts