Phil Parkinson set the scene for a nerve-shredding end to the season by predicting the battle for play-off places in the National League will go all the way to the last of the Robins’ five remaining games.
Alty’s hopes of qualifying were rekindled by their first win in eight matches as an 88th-minute strike by skipper Lewis Baines sealed a 2-1 scoreline against Yeovil Town and lifted his side to within a point of seventh-placed Rochdale, who currently occupy the final play-off position.
With Southend United breathing down Alty’s necks and trailing them only on goal difference, Parkinson summed up the nailbiting scenario he can see unfolding as they prepare for this Saturday’s trip to a rejuvenated Boston United.
“It’s going to go down to the wire, right down to the very end of the last game,” said the Alty boss. “Even if we go and win all our remaining games, the teams around us are capable of doing exactly the same.
“It all looks so uncertain for the two places immediately above us. It’s all to play for, and we just need to keep pushing forward and going for it, as we did against Yeovil.”
Parkinson admitted one of his main concerns is the state of a bobbly pitch that keeps cutting up.
“It’s a bit of a war of attrition with our pitch,” he said. “It’s horrific, so difficult for our lads to play on. It’s a complete leveller for us, and we’ve had to adapt over the past month. It’s not going to get any better over the coming weeks, so I just hope we can continue adapting.
“The state of the pitch and injuries we’ve had are beyond our control. What is in our control is the work the lads are putting in. I don’t think anyone can question their attitude, even when we’ve lost - we’ve kept going to the bitter end every time.
“No one wants the season to fizzle out, and we won’t let it. We’ll keep working hard, and when you do that, you normally get your rewards.”
