GARY MacKenzie sees no reason why City cannot keep fighting their campaign on two fronts after sneaking back into the League One play-off zone.

The point from Saturday's draw against Walsall was enough to edge them above Doncaster into sixth spot ahead of this week's away double-header at Swindon and managerless Peterborough.

Centre half MacKenzie, who enjoyed a solid first start for the club, insists the approaching FA Cup quarter-final will not distract City from their promotion target.

MacKenzie said: "I don't think the cup will get in the way. Our bread and butter is the league and the manager has made that clear.

"I'm disappointed about not getting a win but, in the grand scheme, we've got into the play-offs. It's been a good week so we can't get too disheartened from drawing the game.

"Promotion is the priority and it would be huge for the club. I obviously know that from playing in the Championship and being at Milton Keynes when we were striving to get there.

"The manager has instilled into the players that you've just got to face the next game. If there are players who aren't pulling their weight, he'll make changes. Everybody knows that.

"It's no use thinking ahead to glamour games if you're not playing. You run the risk of not even playing in the cup if you're not doing the day-to-day job."

Walsall's equaliser after Billy Clarke had fired City ahead with his fifth goal in seven starts spoiled an otherwise impressive game for MacKenzie, who stepped in for the injured Andrew Davies.

James Hanson and Filipe Morais were also sidelined and none are expected to recover in time for the County Ground tomorrow night.

But Jon Stead returned after the deep wound in his foot and earned plaudits for his bravery from assistant boss Steve Parkin.

He said: "Jon is a warrior. If anybody questions the fact that he's maybe earned a few quid and had a lot of clubs and would rest on his laurels, they would be a fool.

"He played with a terrible gash on the top of his foot for virtually the whole first half of the Sunderland game, had it stitched and couldn't play the other night.

"He's still very sore but there was no hesitation from him. He wanted to play right from minute one.

"The Swindon game might be a little bit too soon for the others. You've got to be careful with hamstrings and Fil took a really nasty bang on his knee.

"It's about us picking the players up who can play and we go down there full of confidence to continue the run we're on.

"We've got some great games coming up and hopefully we can strengthen the squad before the (loan) deadline at the end of next month. You can never have too many good players."

The state of the Valley Parade pitch again made it a test but Parkin felt groundsman Mick Doyle had done well to get the game on.

He said: "I spoke to Mick on Thursday morning and practically the whole pitch was covered in water. He's worked wonders.

"Of course it's awful. We don't want to be playing on a pitch like that – we want ones like Orient the other night, when we played some really good football.

"But the pitch is what it is and the mentality of the players has been great about it."