HEAD coach Ben Garner believes Swindon Town’s current position could be viewed as a “miracle” as the club attempts to cap off a memorable season by booking a play-off spot.

Town head to Walsall on the final day needing a victory – not to ensure survival as many predicted would be the case back in August, but instead to extend the club’s season via a place in the top seven.

The Swindon boss admitted everyone at the club has been forced to suffer at times this season, but a win would provide the most satisfying and worthwhile reward for that sacrifice.

Asked if Garner can believe the position Town find themselves in given where they started, he said: “Yes and no.

“If you look at where we started and you don’t consider what’s gone on in between, you’d say it’s a miracle to go from that to where we are.

“But having seen the process day in, day out and the amount of hard work that’s gone in then I can believe it.

“It’s richly deserved, and hopefully we can get over the final hurdle now and beyond.

“We’ve worked so hard every week, and these players have sacrificed a lot.

“Because of the situation we inherited, we’ve had to train a lot, we’ve had to restrict days off. Because of the size of our group, we’ve had to do a lot of recovery day and be in on a lot of Sundays.

“But everyone deserves exactly what we’ll get now because of what everyone has put in.”

Town will be backed by 3,500 fans at the Banks’ Stadium as the Wiltshire club attempts to avoid having their party spoiled by a Walsall side with nothing but pride to play for.

Garner believes the Saddlers will still come out fighting as they are playing for contracts and attempting to impress boss Mike Flynn – therefore the Town boss has asked for maximum energy and noise from the travelling support.

On Walsall, Garner said: “They’re building for next season, and they’ve also had a chance in manager, so there will be players there who want to be a part of his plans moving forwards.

“He’ll be assessing the players constantly, and it’s their last home game so they will want to go out on a high in front of their own supporters.

“The fact we’re taking such an incredible number will help create that atmosphere which I always think helps any player to raise their level.

“I expect a good game, so we’re going to have to be at our best – our focus is on doing that.”