Mat Sadler "proud" of Walsall performance in narrow cup exit at Stoke City
Mat Sadler was "proud" of the shift that his Walsall players put in as they suffered penalty shoot-out heartbreak against Stoke City in the EFL Cup first round.
Walsall held the Potters to a goalless draw at the Bet365 Stadium but the Championship side progressed to the next round by winning 4-3 on penalties.
Jamie Donley crashed a long-range effort against the crossbar for Stoke, while Josh Gordon fired into the side netting during the first half.
Substitute Jonny Stuttle had two chances in stoppage time - sending a deflected effort wide of the near post, before stabbing wide from the resulting corner.
On the game, Sadler said: "Very pleased. The guys put together what we wanted to do in the game.
"I watched their game on Saturday and they were very good in possession. They've created themselves a style that maybe hasn't been here for a little while.
"So we knew we'd have to be very good out of possession which we were. We wanted to steal it and transition on them.
