LIAM Davis is hoping fate is on Oxford United’s side as they attempt to claim a play-off place on the final afternoon of the season tomorrow.

The U’s have to win their last game at Port Vale, which will be enough to take seventh place on goal difference if Crewe Alexandra lose at home to Aldershot.

Davis is optimistic United will keep their end of the bargain, which would mean ending a run of six games without a win, and then look for a favour from the Shots.

He said: “We’ll be confident that we can win the game.

“Fate is going to play a part, the main thing we can do is affect the game against Port Vale – what happens with Crewe we can’t affect, all we can do is win and see where the rest takes us.

“We get ourselves out of this run by carrying on doing the same things, really.

“We can’t change things too much because what we’ve been doing all season got us into a good position before this run.

“The team was playing well a month ago and there was no reason why we couldn’t get into the top three, but this is the situation a month on, so we just have to take it as it has come.”

The full-back says the pressure to get into the play-offs is not as extreme as what is felt at the other end of the table, after narrowly avoiding relegation from npower League Two with Northampton Town 12 months ago.

However, while Davis and his teammates are clear about what is needed tomorrow, the 25-year-old believes Crewe’s situation could create some indecision.

He said: “Crewe might go into the game a bit nervous, they might be trying to get a draw, thinking they’re safe and that could go against them.

“It’s theirs to lose so maybe in way it’s a blessing in disguise that we’re behind waiting for them to slip up.”