Port Vale Chairman Bill Bratt

By Daniel Milligan & Sam Morris:

Port Vale chairman Bill Bratt said they need to win their last three league games to finish in the play-offs.

Port Vale hope to gatecrash the play-offs after their 2-1 win over Accrington Stanley last week took them to within two points. And they followed this up with a credible 1-1 draw at promotion chasing Bury.

“We are still just outside of the pack, but if we can get results against the sides around us, like at Notts County (Apr 24) then we will be up there,” he said.

“I think we need to win three games, which are all big games, to reach the play-offs.”

Bratt said: “I am an optimist so I go into every game believing we can win, it doesn’t always happen but that’s football.

“But if I am honest I didn’t think we could get this close to the play-offs but now we are there, the side is playing well enough under Micky to give it a go.”

Vale boss Adams lost his father last week, but the ordeal hasn’t affected the team’s performances on the pitch.

“Micky is a true professional and we are so lucky to have him,” said Bratt.