Walsall caretaker boss Jon Whitney determined to prove critics wrong

Walsall caretaker boss Jon Whitney insists the Saddlers' automatic promotion chances are not dead and buried after revealing digging graves prepared him for their Championship challenge.

The Saddlers clinched a Sky Bet League One play-off place after goals from Kieron Morris and Rico Henry sealed a 2-1 win over Shrewsbury on Tuesday.

They are third, three points behind second-placed Burton with two games left, and host Fleetwood on Monday, 48 hours after the Brewers welcome Gillingham.

Walsall have not played in the Championship since 2004 and Whitney is eager to prove the Saddlers' spirit can see them over the line.

He said: "It's fantastic, life is exciting, win or lose I find it always exciting, I'll turn it into a positive.

"People try to pick at me, find chinks in the armour but you're not going to find one. I've dug graves for two-and-a-half years and this is a doddle compared to digging graves at 6am in the morning. It's something I'm revelling in - so come along for the ride.

"A lot has been said in the press and I've heard we haven't got a chance in the play-offs but that fuels me. It makes me slightly angry but that's good because we want to prove people wrong. Let's keep upsetting people. We are still in with a shout of automatic, we really believe it."

Walsall's victory denied Wigan the chance to seal promotion and the Latics must wait until Saturday when they travel to Blackpool to seal an instant return to the Championship.

Former Walsall defender Mat Sadler scored just his second goal in two-and-a-half years to set up a nervy finish at the Banks's Stadium but Shrewsbury must wait to guarantee their League One survival.

They are four points above the relegation with two games remaining and boss Micky Mellon took responsibility for the defeat.

He said: "I'll take the blame for the team selection in the first half, in hindsight I shouldn't have played it. We weren't up to the pace of the game.

"We'll move on, I'll look at my performance and we'll get them ready for another massive game (against Peterborough) on Saturday."