STEVENAGE TO BENEFIT TENFOLD

confidence in front of goal at times, but overall I am delighted.”

With only pride to play for, City were subdued, although substitute Martin Paterson might have done better when shooting wide from Wade Elliott’s 76th-minute pass.

Pogba had the best opportunities of the first half, producing an airshot on six minutes when well placed to score.

The striker also headed wide on 28 minutes and had a shot on the turn blocked on the line in a crowded goalmouth.

City’s best first-half effort was a closerange back-heel from Jay EmmanuelThomas, which struck a defender.

And Bristol City boss Steve Cotterill expressed his disappointment that his team could not end the season with a win to underline the improvement made since he took charge.

“It was a bit of an anticlimax,” he said.“If I am honest I have been expecting that sort of performance, with only pride to play for, and I’m glad we kept it until the penultimate game.

“It wasn’t a bad display. We passed the ball for fun, but lacked penetration. You have to give Crewe some credit for that. Our crowd were fantastic, as they have been since I arrived.” GRAHAM Westley admits the doom and gloom of relegation is well and truly over after Stevenage ended an unwanted run of ten matches without a win against Walsall.

Boro had Luke Freeman to thank for the victory – their first since March 8 – as he pounced to smash home the winner eight minutes from time at Broadhall Way.

That followed Jo N’Guessan’s equaliser during a busy start to the second half that saw Malvind Benning and Craig Westcarr fire Walsall 21 ahead after Jimmy Smith’s first-half effort.

And Westley said: “It’s a strange feeling winning at home. Unfortunately, it’s been a long, hard season and a real trial for the fans, who again were here for us.

“I’m delighted that the boys have given them something to smile about going into the summer.

“The most important thing was that there was some