Craig MacGillivray has faith in Walsall

Walsall's transformation from mid-table also rans into League One title hopefuls doesn't surprise goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray.

The 23-year-old was part of the Saddlers team that moved back into the automatic promotion places with a 2-1 win at Doncaster on Tuesday night.

MacGillivray made his eighth appearance of the season at the Keepmoat Stadium, as he once again aptly deputised for the injured Neil Etheridge.

The victory saw Sean O'Driscoll's side leapfrog Gillingham into second place.

But MacGillivray believes it shouldn't come as a shock to people that Walsall are flying high – with the team now enjoying a 12-point lead over seventh-placed Southend.

He said: "I'm not surprised how well we've done, at all.

"The main thing was to keep the majority of the team together because if you've got a nucleus to work off then everyone knows each other's strengths and weaknesses.

"We all get on really well, which is obviously a massive bonus. But our success doesn't surprise me at all because we are used to playing together and the players we have got are as good as any in this league.

"We now have a 12-point gap over the last play-off spot. If things don't go right, then obviously we've got that cushion but we want automatic promotion and we've wanted that since the start of the season."

Walsall's win at the Keepmoat Stadium continued the team's incredible run of form away from home this season.

In 14 League One games away from the Banks's, Walsall have won nine times and lost just once – with that defeat coming against Swindon in a match they dominated.

And, while they weren't quite at the best against Darren Ferguson's Doncaster, MacGillivray thinks winning is the only thing that matters at this stage of the season.

He said: "Doncaster were on top in the first half and they are a tough team – they will take points off teams in this league.

"It was a scrappy game but we knew if we kept in it at 0-0, we would get a couple of chances, which we did in the second-half and we went on to win the game.

"We got three points and that's the main thing at this stage of the season. We've got games in hand on teams and the key is to keep winning them."

Meanwhile, Donny boss Ferguson echoed MacGillivray's comments that keeping a stable breeds success.

The former Peterborough manager insists the Saddlers should be a blueprint for all clubs.

He said: "I think the reason why Walsall stand out from any other team is because they have been together now for three or four years.

"That builds a consistency which is key and they showed it against us. They all understand one another, how they play.

"They haven't had a real change in terms of the manager. Dean Smith has left but I think Sean O'Driscoll is a very good fit, I have to say that.

"If you can get a team together for a long period, they have the potential to play at Walsall's level and they are now second in the league – they are really challenging."