JOHN Doolan admitted his side did not do the basics well enough as Stanley slipped to another late defeat at home - this time going down 1-0 to Crewe Alexandra.

Zac Williams’ goal five minutes from time condemned the Reds to a fourth defeat of the season in League Two.

There wasn’t a lot of goalmouth action in the first half.

Stanley didn’t have a shot while Joel Tabiner tried his luck twice for Crewe with one shot wide and one into the arms of goalkeeper Michael Kelly.

Just before the break, Max Sanders curled an effort narrowly off target for the visitors.

Stanley manager John Doolan made a double substitution at half-time while counterpart Lee Bell did the same early in the second half.

It then livened up with Crewe’s Kane Hemmings denied by Kelly after 54 minutes and Jack Lankester netted the rebound but was offside.

Nelson Khumbeni had a couple of shots for Stanley but they slipped to their first league loss at home with the late Williams goal.

Doolan’s side remain in the bottom two and had just one shot on target.

“We didn’t do the basics – passing and controlling the ball,” said Doolan.

“To be fair, we started off on the front foot and then we were making the wrong decisions, giving the ball away cheaply, we couldn’t get hold of the ball and they grew into the game.

“We knew they had a few lads with long throws so it’s disappointing to concede a goal with a long throw and the second ball.

“It is frustrating at the moment. We were on top but needed to make something happen but we never had that bit of quality and it was difficult. It looked like it had 0-0 written all over it.

“There is a nervousness around the lads, you can’t knock their hard work and effort but you have to see these games out. It’s a learning curve for some of them and the quicker they learn the better.”

Crewe boss Lee Bell admitted his side were not at their best but praised Williams for his late goal that sealed victory.

“This game wasn’t one for the purists and I spoke to the players during the second half and said we weren’t able to change what was happening now but we need to protect our goal and I thought we would get an opportunity from a cross like that,” he said.

“Well done to Zac for tucking it away - it’s a brilliant three points.

“This team keep on going, we had good body language on the pitch and I knew an opportunity would come and we had to be in the right position.

“The boys were brilliant defensively - that’s another clean sheet. They are massively important.

“We will get better but, if we are not at our best, it’s important we send the fans home happy.”