Walsall boss Chris Hutchings hailed the never-say-die attitude of his side after two late goals at Northampton ended their away win drought.

Stephen Hughes and Jabo Ibehre netted in the final seven minutes on Saturday, to give the Saddlers the  first win on their travels for three months.

The game was heading towards a dour draw with neither side able to stamp any quality on proceedings, before Hughes raced onto Michael Ricketts’ pass to score.

That set the Saddlers up for three points.

Hutchings said: “It’s a never-say die attitude. I’ve come in and the lads have given me 100 per cent and I expect no less.

“I will give them 100 per cent, I have respect for them as players and they will have respect for me but it’s about the squad, it’s not about individuals because everyone contributes.

“We counter attacked well and we scored two very good goals, and had a little bit of quality when we needed it.”

Substitute Ibehre sealed the win when he outmuscled Chris Doig in stoppage time and Hutchings was pleased how hard his side worked for the win.

He said: “In the first half we were getting balls in the box and we weren’t getting anywhere near them. I said at half-time, with the quality coming in, we had to start getting near the ball but it was a workmanlike performance.

“Nobody is going to be singled out because that’s what we’re all about, working extremely hard for one another.”

But Hutchings was happy with Manny Smith’s display, after the defender made his eighth start of the season in place of the injured Rhys Weston.

He said: “I was very pleased with him, he did exceptionally well last week when he came on and that was why he was given the chance and came through with flying colours against a decent striker.”

Defences were on top for the majority of the Sixfields’ clash and Hutchings conceded there wasn’t much goalmouth excitement.

Billy Clarke had the Cobblers’ best effort but was denied by Clayton Ince while Anthony Gerrard saw a shot deflected over.

Hutchings said: “Clayton pulled off a good save to keep us in the game but it was a hard game. We came through it.

“We came under a bit of pressure and they had quite a few corners but we dealt with that. I don’t think either keeper was unduly worked.

“We scored the two goals on the break and they were quality goals.”

But Northampton boss Stuart Gray was disappointed his side were caught out by the Saddlers.

He said: “I thought we started a bit nervously but then we got a bit of a foothold in the game and had a couple of really good chances to take the lead.

“It was a scrappy game and I always felt that the defining moment was probably always going to be the first goal.

“Walsall are a good counter attacking side but I was disappointed with our quality in the final third. We should have done better with the chances we had.”