Crewe chief Steve Holland admitted he was 'desperately disappointed' after watching his side hammered by four-star Athletic.

Goals from Deane Smalley, Neal Eardley (2) and Gary McDonald established a commanding lead with 20 minutes to play, although Steve Jones pulled one back with time running out.

Results elsewhere were enough to keep Crewe in League One for next season, but Holland was bitterly disappointed his side had to rely on results elsewhere.

"I am desperately disappointed with the way we have finished the season. We went into the game needing a point to make ourselves safe and we have ended up being beaten 4-1.

"The fans turned up to watch us and to see a half decent performance and we certainly didn't give them that.

"On the evidence of this game we are a long way off and there is a lot of work to do be done, but we knew that."

He added: "It was a big relief to stay up, it is vital to the Football Club on all fronts that we did and over the course of the season we have earned that.

"There are a few decent sides below us that have gone out of the league, so obviously we are delighted to be still in it."