TYLER Smith is excited for his first taste of final-day drama as City’s season heads to the wire.

Smith’s late intervention from the bench at Barrow kept the Bantams on the fringe of the play-off hunt going into the weekend.

City must still beat Newport at Valley Parade to clinch a fifth straight win and hope that Barrow and Crawley both stumble.

But Smith is buzzing for the prospect of a potential super Saturday for his in-form side.

“I’ve not really had a last game like it’s going to be at the weekend,” he said. “But I’m ready for it and we all will be.

“I’m sure every fan will have their phone in their hand for the whole 90 minutes looking at all the scores.

“Our job is to focus on what we can do and what we’re doing. Look at the scores at 5pm after the game.

“We can’t focus on any other team. We know we have to win.

“We can’t control what is happening with other games. It’s all about what we do on Saturday and that’s making sure we put on a performance for the fans and win the game.

“We know what’s at stake and we have to win. Hopefully that will be enough to get in the play-offs.”

Smith’s winner at Holker Street – his 12th goal of the season - pushed City up to ninth.

He was only on the pitch for 10 minutes before being subbed himself as Graham Alexander fortified the defence to protect the precious lead.

But Smith saw plenty of the action in that short spell with two nearly moments before calmly dispatching Andy Cook’s reverse pass to send the away fans wild.

“I knew when I came on that I’d get one and I’ve taken it well,” he added. “The gaffer told me to go out there and win the game.

“He didn’t need to say too much because I know what I need to do.

“That goal was up there for me. It felt good to score and to win.

 

 

“I know my job is to score goals and that’s what I’ve done. It was a good night for everyone.

“This season has been up and down at times, which hasn’t been good enough for our standards. It has been hard but we’ve not given up.

“That’s the big thing. Staff, players, we’ve been fighting all throughout.

“Obviously, we’ve had a difficult season, especially in the last couple of months, and we’ve been adrift.

“But for us to be taking it to the last day shows what we’re about.

“We could have folded months ago but we’ve not. We’re still here and still fighting, so roll on the weekend and let’s see if we can get the job done.”