JERMAINE MCGLASHAN admits a weight has been lifted off his shoulders after playing his part in the win that helped Wrexham secure a play-off spot for the first time in six years.

McGlashan came off the bench and scored a late winner as Wrexham beat Barnet 2-1 at The Hive on Saturday to guarantee a top seven finish with three games to go.

By his own admission, McGlashan has struggled to make an impact since joining on loan from Swindon in March and he was delighted to get the goal.

"I think it was my first touch a couple of minutes after coming on and I am buzzing for it to be the winner," said McGlashan. "Three points is what the boys deserved.

"I am happy I gambled, it fell to me and I knew I had one touch.

"I thought it was going wide and just my luck. I really needed that and wanted that to go in, I am so happy.

"I think it had a bit of backspin on it at the end but no complaints there!

"I went to celebrate but emotions got the better of all the players, they smothered me, but the lads are happy and you saw what it means to the fans.

"It cemented us top seven at least so I am happy."

McGlashan hopes the goal can give him a lift and he finds some form to take into the play-offs.

"It can be hard coming into any group, especially as late as I did," said McGlashan.

"The boys have done brilliant all season and it wasn't as I would have liked it at the start but I think that is a bit of pressure off now.

"Hopefully I can kick on and if I am going to pick up form, it is a good time to do it going into the play-offs."

Wrexham, up to fourth in the table after winning their last two games, are outsiders for the title but finishing second or third will mean the Reds avoid a preliminary round tie in the play-offs and guarantee a home semi-final match.

"Momentum is so key at this stage of the season," said McGlashan.

"We know what our home form is like, we can only worry about ourselves and take care of the next three games, and see where we end up."

Manager Bryan Hughes hailed McGlashan's contribution but also praised Jason Oswell and Chris Holroyd for the part they played in the 86th minute goal.

"Jason was battling the centre-back and Chris has got a slight touch, but credit to Jermaine," said Hughes.

"At that stage of the game, we were under the cosh a little bit but he has gambled and it was a fantastic finish.

"He just lifted it over the keeper. It took an age to go in but when it did go in, it was a special moment."

Hughes doesn't need reminding about the benefits of Wrexham finishing as high as possible but the Reds boss is just focused on Wrexham's next game against Sutton United at The Racecourse on Good Friday.

"It is good to get a win on our travels, it has been a long time coming, said Hughes, who saw Wrexham lose all three away matches in March.

"The next step now is Sutton. We are not thinking about where we are going to finish.

"We are going to try and approach every game to win it and see where we finish at the end of the season.

"The table at the end of the season, that is where you deserve to be whether it is first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth or seventh.

"We are guaranteed play-offs, that is our first milestone and these lads deserve a lot of credit for that.

"The next milestone is can we guarantee second or third but we will focus all our attention on Sutton."