ALEX boss Dario Gradi drew some encouragement from his side's 1-0 defeat at Norwich.

Darren Huckerby did the damage yet again to Crewe, his 38th minute strike enough to extend their away jinx although a late assault almost yielded a point.

"I thought we were quite fortunate to go in at the break with us only one goal behind because they created a lot of chances and it could have been more," said Gradi.

"I had been encouraged by our start and we did have a few chances of our own.

"Billy Jones and David Vaughan got knocks so we were forced to change it.

"I thought it would disrupt us but it didn't and Kenny gave us more guile in there.

"We attacked much better in the second half without being good enough to get that goal.

"The lads kept going though and I thought Dean would score with the chance he had because he had been smashing them in during training all week.

"I also thought Luke Varney would have done better when he got in but that will come with experience.

"I think they wanted to hear the final whistle but we were never in control of them and couldn't contain Huckerby.

"He missed a few chances but it was a good finish for the goal and he was always prepared to get the ball down and run at us."