CREWE boss Dario Gradi admitted he thought his side had bagged a vital win at Millwall until late disaster struck.

Poul Hubertz' stoppage time leveller left the Alex without a win in three and still 13th in League One.

"I thought we would nick it when we scored," explained Gradi.

"But it would have been daylight robbery.

"We battled hard, there were a few tired legs out there.

"The two centre halves had a torrid time in the first-half but did better in the second.

"It would have been a great three points.

"It was a great goal, Darren's got a bit of a gift for getting ones like that and it's something I'll have to pick up on."

Byfield's first-half equaliser was particularly excruciating.

"I said at half-time you've got to win your own battles and challenges," continued Gradi.

"It was a feeble piece of play from Michael on the wing then on the other side Moss was feeble.

"The centre-halves didn't stay on their centre-forward and you have to ask whether the keeper can claim it.

"Maybe ours can't, it was a Crewe goal. We deserved to win at Gillingham, if we had, we would have started to look above us now."

Loans could be an option now ahead of tomorrow's deadline and Saturday's home clash with promotion-chasing Bristol City.

And Gradi could do with another few Danny Woodards.

"We still might need replacements. We can't afford any more injuries," he said.

"The boy (Woodards) who has got injured was immaculate in the first-half.

"I said to the players, the other three of the back four might be finding it hard but he's not.

"He was totally on top of his game and what a great signing he's turning out to be.

"You wonder where he's been and why for so long.

"We need to look at that level again now and he seems like a lovely kid as well."