Dean Smith not worried by Walsall loss

Walsall boss Dean Smith refused to be too disheartened despite seeing his side slip to a 1-0 friendly defeat to AFC Telford United.

A 43rd minute penalty from Jordan Goddard settled the game, after new recruit Jason Demetriou was deemed to have handled the ball inside the box.

The Saddlers controlled possession for long spells of the game and produced a number of good chances, but were unable to get back on level terms.

Smith said: "We played some good football at times and I felt we kept the ball well but you want to be winning games.

"You want to win any game. There were good bits, some average bits and some bits that weren't so good but you get that when you make 22 changes.

"I thought Tom Bradshaw looked bright, I thought Romaine Sawyers looked bright and we started both halves very well.

"We tried two different formations, we started with a 4-3-3 and then switched to a 4-4-2.

"We had quite a few chances and the lads will feel they could have done better in front of goal but we will take the positives."

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Surprisingly, Smith's line-up did not include any trialists, despite striker John Cofie and midfielders Zac Thompson and Chris Sutherland recently spending time with the club.

He said: "They all came in but we have told them there isn't a contract for them at this time.

"I am looking for a centre-back and I've got someone coming in who will train with us and be involved on Saturday. You have to get the right ones in."

Meanwhile, Smith praised the 302 fans who made the trip to the New Bucks Head.

They also staged rounds of applause in minutes 19, 49 and 78 for Joel Richards, Adrian Evans and Patrick Evans who were killed in the Tunisia terrorist attack.

Smith said: "The fans were brilliant and there tribute fitting. We were all traumatised by what happened in Tunisia and the fans are now showing their support to the families. That was tremendous."