Walsall's Hancock says play-off race wide open

Walsall defender Mason Hancock says the race for a play-off spot in League Two "is anyone's" heading into the final six matches of the season.

The Saddlers are 11th in the table, but only two points off Crewe Alexandra in the final play-off place, in seventh.

Walsall are one of five clubs within three points of Crewe.

With Friday's home game with Gillingham up next, Hancock, who returned to fitness in mid-January after five months out with a knee injury, is looking forward to the run-in.

"It's exciting times. It's kind of anyone's. We're all hungry and I'm sure the other teams are as well," he told BBC Radio WM.

"It's a bit of a 'let the best man win' in terms of that play-off spot but we know what we need to do and we're all determined and confident that, if we keep our heads down and stay going about our business, that we can make this happen still."

Walsall are attempting to reach the play-offs for the second season running after losing in the final to AFC Wimbledon last term.

Although Hancock was not at the club then, he said that experience will be a help to the others in the squad who were.

"You know that they've been in this similar situation before so going into the play-offs won't be new for a lot of the boys," he said.

"Someone's got to do it. We've got the confidence, we've 100% got the team, the depth, so I think we can be the ones to go grab that spot."

With two games to come over the Easter period - the Gills on Friday, followed by a trip to fifth-placed Swindon Town on Monday - Hancock said Walsall can maintain their unbeaten four-match run under head coach Darren Byfield.

"Definitely, there is momentum," he said.

"We're in good form and we've got a chance now to get maximum points from two games, which has to be the mindset."