MICKY Adams expects League Two's promotion race to take plenty more twists and turns as the season heads for an exciting finale.

With 10 games remaining, Vale lie 10th, just three points adrift of the play-off zone ahead of today's clash at Cheltenham (3pm).

Adams has been keen to play down his side's promotion prospects, even after last weekend's stunning 5-0 victory at promotion-chasing Chesterfield.

But now he has publicly thrown his side's hat into the ring – albeit through gritted teeth.

"There will be loads of twists and turns to come," said Adams. "From our point of view it would be daft to say we're not in the promotion race – we are.

"It sometimes hurts me to say that, because I'd rather go along nice and quietly.

"We have an outside chance, but I can't predict what's going to happen over the next 10 games.

"All I know is we've got to set our stall out to win as many games as we can.

"If that's good enough, then it will be, but we'll review whether we've had a good season after 46 games."

Vale face a Cheltenham side languishing third-from-bottom, one place and six points clear of the drop zone.

With both sides desperate for three points, for different reasons, Adams is predicting an open affair.

"I've got no intention of sending out a negative team," he said. "We are going to try and win every game between now and the end of the season.

"At times we're going to look wide open, but I'd rather lose 6-5 than 1-0."

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