Gaffer gave us belief - Murphy

Luke Murphy admits Crewe's play-off charge seemed unlikely when Steve Davis took the reins at Gresty Road in November.

The Railwaymen were 18th in npower League Two when Davis took on his first Football League job as Dario Gradi's replacement. Despite opening with a 4-1 FA Cup defeat against Colchester, Alex have lost only four of their 31 subsequent games and an unbroken 18-match unbeaten run has landed them in Sunday's play-off final against Cheltenham. "When Steve took over he said that he felt we could go unbeaten for the rest of the season," said 22-year-old midfielder Murphy, who is expected to recover from a groin problem in time to face the Robins. "I think a few of us looked at each other and had a little laugh thinking it's a bit out of the question. "But he had belief in us and his belief has rubbed off on everyone around the club. We go into every game and we don't feel like we can get beaten, so that's a great habit to be in."