Gary Hackett has insisted Walsall were lucky winners in their 1-0 FA Cup victory at Stourbridge on Saturday.

The Glassboys boss believes his side deserved a replay after a battling performance at the War Memorial Ground.

Steve Jones’ 34th-minute goal settled the tie, but Hackett says the Saddlers can count themselves lucky.

He said: “One thing you think when you play a League One side is you don’t want to be embarrassed or humiliated and we were far from that. They are fortunate they are in the draw.

“We had them on the rack and they were holding on. With a bit more luck and better finishing it could have been a completely different story and we would have had a mass celebration.”

Hackett reckons referee Dave Foster should have awarded them a spot kick when Mark Hughes charged down Sean Evans’ shot late on. He said: “It would have gone in the goal if it didn’t hit his hands so for me it’s a cast iron penalty. You need a bit of luck and from the position I was in I’m totally and utterly biased.”

The Glassboys impressed with their efforts as Evans, Ryan Rowe and Ben Billingham all went close and Hackett says they almost caught Walsall out.

“We’ve surprised a lot of people with our football,” he said. “We’ve got players who can pass and move. I think we surprised Walsall a bit and in the end they were just clearing it to get it away from the danger zone.

“I’m very, very proud of the way the players performed.”