Cheltenham forward Jeff Goulding struggled to describe his disappointment after Crewe claimed League Two play-off final glory.
The Robins had a host of first-half chances, with Goulding - a surprise inclusion in the starting line-up - rattling the crossbar moments after Nick Powell's spectacular opener for the Railwaymen.
Goalline clearances from Powell and Ashley Westwood kept Alex's advantage intact at the interval and, as Town ran out of steam in the closing stages, Byron Moore secured a 2-0 win.
"I can't really put it into words," said Goulding. "It's disappointing. We had chances, we didn't finish them and that's what you get.
"It's been a good season but it's ended on a downer. We've got to go again. It's a good season but we're all obviously disappointed.
"Sometimes it just doesn't go in. There was a corner we had where it got cleared off the line twice. On another day we'd have scored two or three, but I suppose it was Crewe's day."
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