Mat Sadler insists Walsall will “keep fighting” until the very end after suffering a costly 1-0 defeat against Accrington at Bescot.
Ben Woods scored a stunning volley from distance in the 33rd minute to preserve Accrington’s status in League Two.
That result means Walsall head into the final game trailing the automatic promotion places by a single point.
Walsall had a prime chance to climb into third place after Bradford lost 2-1 against league leaders Doncaster, who confirmed their promotion as a result.
Port Vale also secured automatic promotion with a 2-0 win over Wimbledon in the other early kick-off.
Despite missing another golden opportunity, Sadler says he is not willing to give in ahead of their final game at Crewe next weekend.
“The effort that the players put in was fantastic. They grind and graft for each other every day,” the Walsall boss said.
“I’m sure people want us not to be together with things but we’re together with the wins, we’re together with the defeats and we’re together with everything.
“That has to be how we approach things. First half I was really pleased with how we played in general and we started the second half well.
“We were on the front foot and we were moving forward. We’ve been undone by a fantastic goal but we can’t feel sorry for ourselves. We have to dust ourselves down and keep fighting.”
Taylor Allen crashed a corner against the post and Albert Adomah steered another effort on to the upright for Walsall inside the opening 15 minutes.
Accrington had the better chances after the break with Devon Matthews sending a fierce volley wide and Lewis Coyle forcing an excellent finger tip stop from Walsall goalkeeper Tommy Simkin.
Connor Barrett was dismissed for the hosts for a high challenge on Coyle just six minutes after he was introduced from the bench.
A point was enough to guarantee League Two safety for Accrington, as Carlisle were relegated following a 3-2 defeat against Cheltenham.
Stanley boss John Doolan described his team as “gladiators” after they registered back-to-back away wins.
“It is just an unbelievable feeling to get over the line. We’ve had many opportunities to do it and we haven’t taken them,” Doolan said.
“But today, everyone to a man, the staff, I couldn’t speak anymore highly of them.
“The fans were absolutely brilliant. As for the players, they were gladiators on the pitch from start to finish.”
