Walsall missed out on automatic promotion despite ending a 13-match winless run with a 1-0 victory at Crewe on the last day of the League Two season.
George Hall’s 59th-minute strike put the Saddlers on the brink of a top-three finish, but rivals Bradford broke their hearts with a stoppage-time winner over Fleetwood.
It means Mat Sadler’s side – who blew a 12-point lead at the top of the table and had been winless in 13 matches since February 22 – will have to go through the play-offs.
Walsall defender Taylor Allen went close with a thumping low drive before Hall was thwarted by Crewe goalkeeper Filip Marschall as the first half ended goalless.
Hall put the visitors ahead when David Okagbue helped on a long throw and the Birmingham loanee turned to hook a volley past Marschall.
Saddlers goalkeeper Tommy Simkin preserved the lead by keeping out Chris Long’s powerful effort, while Harry Williams almost made the game safe with a low drive that Marschall brilliantly blocked.
There was a let off at the other end as Crewe substitute Fin Roberts wasted a glorious chance when applying a tame finish to a cross from Charlie Finney.
But just as Walsall felt they had rescued their promotion bid, late drama at Bradford consigned them to the play-offs.
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