Despite a crushing 3-0 defeat against Cardiff City in their final Coca-Cola Championship match of the season, Davey's team finished with five points more than their 2006-7 total.

"We have improved as a club over the season and we have to be pleased with that," said Davey.

With nothing at stake at Ninian Park, Davey blooded a couple of youngsters as well as returning Dwayne Mattis to the squad after nearly seven months out following a broken leg.

"There are positive signs for next season. We included teenagers Jacob Butterfield, who played 90 minutes and and Jamil Adam and both did well," he said..

"We had four shots in the match - two from Jacob and two from Jamile, who looked bright and dangerous when he went on."

Butterfield was given his full debut and 16-year-old Adam replaced Istvan Ferenczi late in the second half.

Davey still has to wrestle with the problem of finding goal scoring striker.

"There is no doubt we will strengthen again during the summer. We won't be bringing in as many as we did lastsummer, maybe three or four this time.

That is to be decided.

"For me we've had a great season. I hope the supporters feel that," he added.

"We have retained our Championship place and reached the FA Cup semi-final. We have beaten some of the top sides in the Championship plus Liverpool away and Chelsea at home in the cup.

"Our aim this season was to be competitive and I feel we achieved that. Now the task is to push on from what we have achieved this season."

On the match against Cardiff City, Davey said: "We played well and passed the ball well for a long time, but we didn't get a break and then Cardiff scored a good goal through Paul Parry.

"Uncharacteristicly, our goalkeeper, Luke Steele, dropped a clanger.

"We were talking the previous evening and saying he never makes a mistake.

"But, of course, everybody does at some stage."

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