Nicholls' admission after setback

Walsall striker Alex Nicholls has urged the Saddlers to cut out the sloppy mistakes after admitting they were "masters of their own downfall" against Millwall.

Goals from Nicholls and Richard Taundry had put the team 2-0 up in Saturday's League One clash with the Lions at the Banks's Stadium.

But a mix-up between Jamie Vincent and Rene Gilmartin quickly offered the visitors a route back into the game and, after seeing Matt Richards sent off midway through the second-half, they were forced to settle for a 2-2 draw when Alan Dunne struck for the Londoners deep into injury-time.

Nicholls insisted the Saddlers only had themselves to blame.

He said: "We are bitterly disappointed. We were 2-0 up and in control. They didn't have much of a threat until the mistake for the first goal.

"If that doesn't go in then you're 2-0 up going into half-time. It's disappointing to concede so late again for the second but the lad has pulled out a wonder strike.

"We've been masters of our downfall at times this season. It's been highlighted in the dressing room that we concede sloppy goals and that the opposition don't give away goals like that.

"The game could have been so different but for that mistake. It's something we have to work on and eradicate from our game.

"Have the lads taken responsibility for that mistake? Yes. I don't know what was said between them but Rene has held his hands up.

"He should have taken control of it but that's between Rene, Jamie and the gaffer."

Further bad news has come on defender Rhys Weston, who is expected to be sidelined for a fortnight after being forced off at half-time with a calf injury.