CREWE can virtually secure their First Division status with the right result at play-off hopefuls Reading this Saturday.

Lifted by that crucial 3-1 victory over Coventry on Easter Monday, the Alex travel to the Madejski Stadium knowing three points would all but mathematically do it, one should prove enough.

Dean Ashton came off the bench to bag the winner and should be back in the starting line-up as boss Dario Gradi indicated there will be no more gambles as they look to virtually wrap it up this weekend.

"It was an enormous help," he explained.

"I think 51 points could be enough, we knew that 48 wouldn't be.

"It was a massive boost for us and we're happy to get back to winning ways.

"We might have to get the extra point or two but if we win on Saturday I think we can relax.

"I don't think anyone will get 54 points and go down so it's worth having a go for it in regards to selection policy."

Easter Monday may have also shown the way for the future.

"Reading are a funny side and have had some funny results over the season," he added.

"We'll go into it knowing we can defend. I want us to become hard to beat and I think we'll concentrate on that now.

"We may mess about with the tactics but not because I think we're safe, because I think we're on the up.

"We look like we can cope with a bit of pressure now and I think that's the best way for us to play.

"We've heard managers say they've had enough first half chances to win the game three or four times over but a closer examination of Monday's game show Coventry didn't have that many.

"We defended well and we're dangerous on the break."

Although the Higdon-Symes partnership is unlikely to start on Saturday, Gradi is happy with potential competition.

"It means we're no longer totally dependent on Jones and Ashton.

"It's not good mentally to know you're in the team whatever and you need a bit of that threat.

"It's been hard work for them. I know I say it every week but it's fact.

"Dean has played double the games in Division One that he did last season and it's Jones' first at this level in which he's hit some high and low spots.

"We don't mind that with Jonah as long as he's flying and if he's in the right frame of mind, we'll stick with him.

"I'm looking for people in form and it won't worry me now if someone isn't playing as well as they can."

Gradi was due to run the rule over his fringe players as they took on a Welsh non-league representative side at Rhyl, last night.

"It's good to keep players fresh and they have to show they're competitive, if not they won't be selected.

"It was a good time to be bold over the weekend because the way we started at Watford was not the way I would want us to continue."

Star keeper Ben Williams has signed to stay at the Alex for the season, Gradi is likely to decide over extending the loans of Craig Hignett and Michael Symes over the next few days.