Darren Byfield stresses importance of Walsall’s clash with Swindon on Monday

Walsall’s interim manager Darren Byfield admitted his play-off hopefuls are “running out of games” after being held to a 2-2 draw at home by Gillingham.

The Saddlers remain unbeaten in the five Sky Bet League Two games since Byfield took over, but draws have outnumbered wins in that spell to leave them three points off seventh spot, in 11th.

On-loan Fulham forward Aaron Loupalo-Bi’s looping header – his first Football League goal – put Walsall ahead but Ronan Hale coolly side-footed Gills level.

Seb Palmer-Houlden pounced on a mix-up between Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts and defender Priestley Farquharson to slot Gillingham in front.

Leading scorer Daniel Kanu’s close-range effort – his 15th league goal of the season – earned the hosts a point, but they face a huge Easter Monday trip to sixth-placed Swindon.

“It’s two points dropped. We were at home against a team we knew weren’t in the form they wanted to be in and we had to try to capitalise on that, and we didn’t,” said Byfield.

“We should have been a bit more positive in possession, but I can’t knock the boys. We showed good character to come from behind to get a point, but we have to win these games.

“There was an expectation on us to win today and rightly so – and we didn’t do it, so let’s go and win on Monday.

“Monday is massive because we are running out of games. We haven’t lost in five, but if you take the draws out, put a win and a loss in their place, you’re gaining more points.

“We need to win games. We know we have to win now. We need three points on Monday – we needed them today.”

Gillingham, meanwhile, broke a sorry streak of five defeats on the spin, much to the delight of under-pressure boss Gareth Ainsworth.

“It’s been tough, there’s no hiding from that,” he said. “We all needed that – fans, players, me.

“If we defend a corner better we take the game maybe and that would be a fantastic win – but this is a team going for the play-offs and we’ve more than matched them today.

“Thank you to everyone who has stood by us and told me to keep going because they believe in what we are trying to do.

“I want everyone to be excited for next season. Yes, this season is ending in five or six games with not the points total we want, but give us a chance – there are big things going to happen.

“We’ve stopped the run of defeats, which was really important – now I want a win against Accrington on Monday.

“It’s so hard when you’re in that rut, that washing machine of injuries, suspensions, defeats, but we will get there.”