COLCHESTER United manager Paul Lambert has not given up on the play-offs, even though visiting Crewe completed a league double over his team this afternoon.

Carl Marston

COLCHESTER United manager Paul Lambert has not given up on the play-offs, even though visiting Crewe completed a league double over his team this afternoon.

Calvin Zola's close-range strike on 63 minutes was enough to seal a vital 1-0 away win for Crewe Alexandra, who have now pulled six points clear of the drop.

By contrast, the U's have slipped a place to 11th spot, and are now six points adrift of the play-offs. But Lambert is staying positive.

Lambert said: “We're six points off, which is only two games. Our season is certainly not over.

“This was a bad result, but maybe it's a blessing in disguise that only three of our last nine games are at home, because we have been doing well on the road.

“We played well for 15 or 20 minutes, and we had the chances to score, but once again we were undone by another set piece with their goal (throw-in).

“We didn't look like getting an equaliser after that. We could have gone on playing all week and still not scored!” added Lambert.

Delighted Crewe boss Gudjon Thordarson said: “We knew it would be tough playing a team in form like Colchester. I thought it was very important for us not to give anything away in the first half.

“It was a scrappy performance from us in the first half, but we had a chat about a few things at half-time, and we were the better team in the second half.

“We managed to keep our defensive shape against Colchester, who are a good side. Lady luck was with us in the first half, but after we scored our goal, I thought we were more likely to score a second rather than Colchester get an equaliser.

“I'm very proud of my players, but the job is not done yet,” added Thordarson.