Yates is approaching the end of a two-year contract at Port Vale

Defender Adam Yates believes it would be "a travesty" if Port Vale do not reach the League Two play-offs.

Vale, who were the early pacesetters in the division, slipped down to ninth after a 2-0 defeat at Chesterfield.

Yates told BBC Radio Stoke: "We've got to finish in that top seven otherwise it's going to be a travesty after the season we've had so far.

"After being top of the league, we wanted automatic promotion, never mind a place in the play-offs."

The full-back continued: "We've had a disappointing turn of the year and we need to make sure we're firing for the last six games. They're massive games for us."

Despite winning only one of their last seven matches, Vale are only one point outside the play-off places with six matches left to play.

They still have to face Southend, Stockport and Morecambe at Vale Park as well as travelling to Torquay, Stevenage and Barnet.

After a long campaign, Yates believes Vale are capable of coping with the physical demands of the end-of-season run-in.

"I think it's going to be an issue for a lot of clubs," he added. "We've got an experienced and wise coaching staff in Mark Grew and Geoff Horsfield.

"They know what they're doing and I'm sure they'll have us ready for Saturday [against Southend]."

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