Walsall pass the test for Hutchings

Walsall boss Chris Hutchings believes his side have passed their home test as they ended their Banks's Stadium barren streak against Brentford.

The Saddlers claimed their first win in seven home outings thanks to Troy Deeney's late winner on Saturday – jumping to ninth in League One in the process.

Alex Nicholls had earlier equalised Charlie MacDonald's 17th minute opener, as the home side recorded back-to-back wins for only the third time this season.

It was only their fifth victory at the Banks's this campaign, but came after impressive scalps at Leeds and Bristol Rovers leaving Hutchings satisfied.

The manager said: "To do it at home is always the test. We've had a few draws and we could have won them, so we've been unlucky but it's always nice to give the home supporters something to shout about.

"On our travels we've done well, Bristol Rovers was an excellent result, especially after they played Charlton afterwards and got a convincing 2-1 win. Then we went to Leeds and to play the way we did and win was excellent.

"Can we make it three on the bounce? That's the challenge to the players. We've gone up a couple of places and are above Bristol Rovers for the first time this season so they are all pluses for us.

"We've got to continue it and it's another opportunity to get three points on Tuesday against Yeovil. You look up, you look at the clubs above you and what you need to do and that's what we have to strive for."

Hutchings reserved praise for Nicholls, who was forced to play on the right with Peter Till out with a hamstring injury but still grabbed the equaliser and set up Deeney's winner.

The Walsall boss said: "Alex did well at Leeds and got great credit for that. The injury to Tilly made us change things round and Darren Byfield came in, so we put 'Nics' on the right and we're delighted for him.

"He works extremely hard in training and in every game, it will give him a lot of confidence."

But Hutchings admitted his side had to change their approach on a difficult Banks's Stadium pitch.

He said: "It's difficult to run with the ball and the fans don't always see it and get frustrated. If you try to play too much football in your own half and it gets cut out you're normally punished.

"You do tend to try and play longer and squeeze up to get the second ball."