No more slip ups warns Walsall's Milan Lalkovic
Striker Milan Lalkovic today admitted Walsall must now win all five of their remaining games to stand any chance of making the play-offs.
Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Port Vale means the Saddlers remain five points adrift of the top six in League One.
They also slipped down to 10th in the table.
And Lalkovic, who came on as a second-half substitute in the defeat at Vale Park, conceded their hopes of closing the gap are hanging by a thread.
"Now we have to win every game," he said. "It's not a case of if – we have to win every game and what happens, happens.
"But we have to win all five games to stand any chance. We need three points from every game otherwise it definitely won't happen."
The Saddlers' defeat – which ended a five-match unbeaten run – was made all the more frustrating by sixth-placed Peterborough's 2-0 loss at Wolves and Lalkovic added: "Obviously it's more lost points.
"Peterborough lost so it's even more disappointing, but we will keep going. It's getting serious now."
Jennison Myrie Williams' controversial 52nd-minute penalty was enough to give Vale a victory which saw them leapfrog Dean Smith's men in the table and complete a first league double over the Saddlers since the 1899-1900 season.
Lalkovic, back after a hamstring injury, twice brought saves from home keeper Sam Johnson. Teenage debutant Amadou Bakayoko also had chances after coming off the bench for the ineffective Michael Ngoo, who started up front in place of suspended top scorer Craig Westcarr.
"I came back on Thursday and trained Thursday and Friday," said Lalkovic.
"I was ready and fit to play but the gaffer explained to me he was not going to risk it.
"At least now we know I'm fit. I don't feel anything (in my hamstring)."