LUKE YOUNG won't give up on automatic promotion but the midfielder says Wrexham need to make sure they finish second or third to give themselves the best possible chance in the play-offs.

The title challenge has stuttered in recent weeks with the Reds suffering three defeats in their last four outings.

Third placed Wrexham are one point behind leaders Leyton Orient, who have three games in hand, while Bryan Hughes' side have played more matches than any of their rivals in the top seven.

Wrexham have six games left and although he is still targeting top spot, Young insists making sure the Reds avoid a preliminary round play-off tie is key.

"Orient are only a point ahead of us and Solihull are level, but Solihull have got a game in hand and Orient have three games in hand," said Young.

"They have still got to win those games, they have still got to pick up points.

"Even if Orient draw their three games in hand, they are going to be four points clear of us playing the same number of games.

"The title is not over until it is mathematically over, we have just got to keep going.

"We have got to make sure that we try and consolidate that play-off position in second or third, and we are still in the hunt."

Wrexham are 10 points ahead of Gateshead, the team immediately outside the play-offs, but would be overtaken by Salford and Fylde if the duo win their games in hand.

Young stressed the need for Wrexham to focus on themselves in the final month of the campaign.

"Teams below us have got games in hand with chances to catch us," said Young.

"You are looking over your shoulder a little bit but you would rather have the points on the board than the games to catch up on.

"When you look at the bigger picture, if someone had said to you at the start of the season we would be in third place with six games to go, you would probably have snapped their hand off.

"Obviously you want to be pushing for top spot, it seems that is petering out a little bit but we will go to the end.

"We have got to keep going and concentrate on ourselves. If we keep winning, the teams below us have got to keep winning to try and catch us."

Wrexham's latest defeat came on Saturday against Hartlepool who scored the only goal in the 25th minute from the penalty spot.

Young bemoaned the lack of cutting edge in the final third as Wrexham created few chances at Victoria Park.

"It is disappointing when you see the teams around us have lost as well but we have got to focus on ourselves," added Young.

"It was a game of very few chances and neither keeper had too many saves to make.

"Unfortunately we have lost the game to a penalty which Rob has saved but unfortunately it just spun off him and crept over the line.

"We just lacked that cutting edge. We had a lot of the ball at times, they sat in and looked for the counter attack.

"We huffed and we puffed without any real cutting edge in the final third to get that goal.

"If we do score then the momentum is with us and we probably go on and get a result, if not maybe nick something at the end.

"It was a frustrating day all round but we are still in the mix."