Hutchings disputes bad boys tag

Boss Chris Hutchings dismissed suggestions Walsall are turning into the bad boys of League One – despite the Saddlers' fourth red card in six games.

Troy Deeney was sent off for deliberate handball after just 19 minutes when he blocked Paul Huntington's shot on the line in the 1-1 draw at Stockport on Saturday.

Former Saddlers striker Jabo Ibehre scored the resulting spot kick but Julian Gray's second goal in two games salvaged a point for the visitors.

Deeney followed Mark Hughes, Matt Richards and Clayton McDonald in for a recent early bath but Hutchings insists his men have just been unfortunate.

"We're not a dirty side by any means and it's frustrating because we gave ourselves an uphill battle," he said.

"Mark Hughes was very unlucky to get sent off and until we see it again Troy was probably unlucky. Clayton's was a two footer and I have no qualms about that one.

"Troy is adamant it hit his thigh and it happened so quickly but we were down to 10 men after 20 minutes and it was going to be an uphill struggle."

But Hutchings was pleased with a point against League One's bottom side and praised his men for their determination.

He said: "It's difficult when you're down to 10 men, it doesn't matter if you're playing the bottom or top of the league. They are fighting for their lives and came at us in the second half.

"We got a point out of it which is always very difficult to do when you're down to 10 men.

"When it does happen you are open to the counter attack and concede a few goals – like we did at Southend. This time we scored and rode our luck at times but we had to do it.

"We've got a good bunch of honest lads who work their socks off and we commend them for Saturday because we got something out of the game.

"We wanted to be resolute and not chase the game because I thought they might try to pick us off. Rene (Gilmartin) pulled off some very good saves and the boys worked their socks off to get a result.

"We had plan A and plan B if things didn't work out but luckily enough we managed to stick to plan A and we just tried to get fresh legs on when we could."

Gray scored with one of the Saddlers' three shots on target and Hutchings says they needed to be clinical because of their numerical disadvantage.

"You always have to be when you're down to 10 men and when you get that one chance you have to take it. We got it and luckily we took it," he said.

Dwayne Mattis and Netan Sansara both picked up injuries in the dying stages, and Hutchings added: "Netan got a knock late on and Dwayne has cramp and there will be a few tired legs, we'll have to asses them. It was difficult, the sand on the pitch takes its toll and it's difficult to play on."