DEPLETED Crewe FC crashed to their fourth successive defeat at home to Knutsford.

WIth injuries and absences taking their toll, boss Ian O'Reilly was forced into another reshuffle of the side that lost 4-1 at Trafford, four days earlier.

It looked so good early on as Brooks almost grabbed his second goal in as many games, Liam O'Reilly went close and Jon Griffiths hit the crossbar.

But Crewe paid for failing to convert their chances and were left trailing 1-0 by half-time.

A lesson in finishing followed throughout the second-half as Knutsford added three more to their tally.

"It was very disappointing," said O'Reilly. "It was always going to be tough at Trafford against first-team players from the Unibond.

"But we started so well against Knutsford though we didn't take our chances. They scored three great strikes in the second-half which we never seem able to do."

O'Reilly is still worried his side could end up relegated at the final hurdle.

"It's unlikely but teams around us have games in hand and we're not mathematically safe yet. We still need three points.

Crewe sign off at the Cumberland Sports Ground against Padgate, this Saturday, and travel to Poynton, two weeks later.