JOE Royle did not disguise his disappointment at failing to win all three points at Crewe.The Blues boss believes his side deserved more than just a draw, despite trailing 2-0 at half time.

By Derek Davis

JOE Royle did not disguise his disappointment at failing to win all three points at Crewe.

The Blues boss believes his side deserved more than just a draw, despite trailing 2-0 at half time.

He said: “It was two points lost. Equally, if you are two goals down on foreign soil but come back to 2-2 it is a great revival.

“By the same token, if you miss enough chances to win three games it is two points lost.

“I don't know how we were two goals down at half time. Both their goals were borderline offside and we have missed five chances that we should have put away.

“In the second half it was one-way traffic and our keeper was redundant. Credit to the players for a great comeback. The second half was a great display of in-yer-face football.”

A tactical switch at half time worked for Town, with Matt Richards going on for Drissa Diallo and Fabian Wilnis switching to right back.

Royle said: “Matt is better on the ball when we have to chase a game and he came on and gave us a bit of balance.”

Second-half goals from Richard Naylor and Darren Bent gave Town parity, and even if Royle thought Ashton's goals were suspiciously offside he accepted he had great ability.

He said: “Bam Bam remembered what to do in the area and took his goal well.

“There were two good finishes from the leading scorer in the division and by half time he was the difference.”

Royle will be joining the players needing physio in January when he goes under the knife for routine knee surgery.