Skipper praises battling Saddlers

Captain Mark Hughes today hailed Walsall's professionalism after they edged past Stourbridge in the FA Cup.

The Saddlers won their first-round tie 1-0 to set up a clash at either Gateshead or Brentford thanks to Steve Jones' 34th-minute strike.

And Hughes says the team did exactly what was needed after riding out a late charge from the Glassboys.

"Our attitude was spot on, you know it's going to be tough at 1-0 because they are going to bombard you," he said. "We said 'let's stick together and see it out' and we did that until the final whistle.

"From Thursday to Saturday we prepared exactly the same as if it was a team in the league or Manchester United in the FA Cup.

"We had to stand up and we defended well and we're in the next round."

The Saddlers skipper survived a big penalty shout after throwing himself in front of Sean Evans' late drive but replays showed the ball struck him on the head.

And Hughes admits he was surprised referee Dave Foster didn't award a spot kick against him or Manny Smith, who also escaped a penalty scare.

"I was quite surprised the referee didn't give one because you know what they are like in these games, they always want to make the crowd happy, but he stood his ground and didn't give them," said Hughes.