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Bradford City striker Billy Clarke scored the only goal of the game but Crewe Alexandra still managed to stay up

Crewe Alexandra lost at home to Bradford City, but still stayed up on a fraught final afternoon of the League One season.

Billy Clarke's 23rd minute low left-foot volley proved to be the only goal of the game at Gresty Road.

But, after twice looking like they would drop into the bottom four when results elsewhere began to go against them, Crewe survived by two points.

City's win lifted them to seventh in the final table.

The Alex had the better of the first half, twice going close through Lauri Dalla Valle, but it was the Bantams who got the breakthrough, thanks to Clarke's sharpness in front of goal.

The Alex's recent third tier record Crewe will play at League One level for a fourth successive season, having come up via the play-offs under Steve Davis in 2012. Phil Parkinson's Bradford City followed the Alex up from League Two a year later, after also finishing in seventh.

A City free-kick was only half cleared to Clarke on the edge of the box and he drilled a low left-foot volley into the bottom right corner.

Sensing that they needed to up the pace in the second half, as worrying score flashes came in from elsewhere, Crewe added more fire power up front with the introduction of Nicky Ajose from the bench.

He twice went close, but it was the Bantams who went closest, when home keeper Paul Rachubka superbly finger tipped Jon Stead's powerful left-foot drive over the bar.

Crewe fans invaded the Gresty Road pitch at full-time, once they knew survival was assured

Crewe Alexandra manager Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke:

"It's not nice when you're involved in an afternoon like that. It's a horrible feeling. You're up, then you're down and then those late goals made us safe

"I just feel sorry for making for putting the fans through that. I want to move this club on to a place where we're not fighting relegation battles every season

"No doubt the bookies will make us favourites relegation again next season but that's the kind of challenge I like.

"And I just hope that proves just as infectious in the dressing room. We have to learn from the mistakes we have made this season and not put ourselves in the position again."