MORECAMBE boss Derek Adams insists his side has not given up hope of catching Wanderers in the automatic promotion spots.

Ben Jackson’s goal on Saturday for Bolton restored a four-point cushion between them and fourth spot with two games to play.

A win against Exeter City would guarantee League One football next season for Wandererrs but Adams – whose side travel to Walsall on Saturday and then host Bradford City on the final weekend – is not ready to prepare for the play-offs just yet.

“We have two games to go and we still have the opportunity to finish in the automatic promotion places,” he told the Morecambe Visitor.

“We have two tough games against Walsall and Bradford City, so we have to win the two games to have that possibility.

“We know the teams around us have difficult games, you only have to see by the results on Saturday how difficult it (League Two) is.”

Adams said Morecambe deserved more from their game against Bolton after going down to 10 men.

“I thought, over the 90 minutes, we were the better side,” said the Scot.

“Taking nothing away from Bolton, they obviously got the win, enabled by the sending off, but over the 90 minutes, the character from the players was very good.

“We’re obviously disappointed because we felt today was a great opportunity to go above Bolton and we could have done that.”

WHAT WANDERERS HAVE GOT TO DO

Beat Exeter on Saturday and it does not matter what Morecambe, Tranmere or Forest Green do – they are playing League One football next season.

A draw for Bolton will be enough, provided Morecambe and Tranmere drop points too.

If Bolton are beaten they could also end up celebrating, provided Morecambe and Tranmere lose and Forest Green do not beat Barrow tonight.

Forest Green have a wafer-thin chance of going up automatically.

For that to happen they would have to win their remaining three games, Bolton lose twice and Morecambe and Tranmere pick up no more than two points from their final two matches.

CAN WANDERERS WIN IT?

Yes. But not on Saturday.

Cheltenham could put themselves firmly in the driving spot for first place if they beat Carlisle United at Whaddon Road tonight. The Robins are currently a point clear with a game in hand.

Wanderers’ relatively poor goal difference does put them a disadvantage.

Cheltenham remaining games: Carlisle (H), Newport (A), Harrogate (H).

Cambridge remaining games: Harrogate (A), Grimsby (H).

Bolton remaining games: Exeter (H), Crawley (A).

Morecambe remaining games: Walsall (A), Bradford (H).

Tranmere remaining games: Forest Green (A), Colchester (H).

Forest Green remaining games: Tranmere (H), Oldham (A).