Sherida Spitse stroked home from 12 yards for Ajax after the contest looked destined for extra time following Eilidh Austin's header with just three minutes remaining.
It was a bitter pill to swallow for the Gers, but they can take comfort in yet another strong display in European football and a UEFA Europa Cup tie to look forward to.
Speaking to RangersTV after the game, Crichton commented: “I’m disappointed with the result and the manner in which the game finished.
“We had a different type of gameplan tonight. We looked at Ajax and the different type of team that they are and want to be, looked at their most recent game against Brondby on Wednesday and felt we could come up with a gameplan that could conserve energy because we’re light on bodies across the group.
“I thought to a player we were outstanding in executing the gameplan and carrying that out.
“At points it feels frustrating because you spend a lot of time without the ball, and for most of the season domestically that’s not what our team will look like, but we know in Europe we’re going to need to find a different way of playing and they did it really well.
“It was disappointing to go behind in the game, but we always knew our set-pieces were going to be a weapon and we felt we had an ability to get back into the game if that was going to be the one chance.
“We managed to do that, and at that point in the game we were already making changes and throwing everything at the game.
“And at the death you’re probably expecting us to possibly grab a winner before it goes to extra-time, and that type of decision costing you a crack at Champions League is pretty ludicrous.”
Rangers emptied the tank in midweek to secure their progression to the final, and Crichton was effusive in her praise of her side’s willingness to fight.
She continued: “I thought their fitness levels were outstanding across the two games, their application, focus and desire, as well as their willingness to carry out a gameplan that was slightly different to what our normal gameplan would look like.
“They’ve been so respondent and a joy to work with.
“We’re excited for the season and absolutely disappointed with the way things played out because we felt we had a real chance of progressing to the next knockout stage, but ultimately we’ve got Europa Cup to fall back on.”
There were several standout performances in Rangers colours across both games, including from a host of summer recruits.
And the performance levels across the last week certainly give Crichton huge excitement heading into the start of the league season in eight days’ time.
She added: “The signings are looking really good. They’ve enhanced the group from the minute they’ve came in, not only in their footballing ability but the way they are as people and the way they conduct themselves.
“They’ve been so seamless in terms of that transition. It was always going to be a real impact in terms of the players we lost last season and how important it was going to be to get it right in terms of recruitment, but so far it feels like we’ve done a pretty good job.
“It’s now about resting and recovering, and we head into league duties next weekend which we look forward to, but the squad is looking good and it’s now about getting a few bodies back we’ve been without.
“The season feels very exciting, and you can see that in the togetherness and performance levels.”
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