Chris Hutchings unfazed by unrest

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has brushed aside the growing unrest at the Banks's Stadium as he battles for his Saddlers future.

The manager was taunted by home fans in a deliberate show of dissent despite a 2-0 FA Cup first round replay win over Fleetwood last night.

Supporters vented their anger during a poor display as an inspired outing from goalkeeper Jimmy Walker ensured the Saddlers will go to Torquay in the second round.

It was only Walsall's second win in 16 games but Hutchings insisted he wasn't worried about the reaction from the stands.

He said: "It's the FA Cup, there's going to be tension. We put ourselves under pressure, we wanted to win the game and we have.

"We've got another game coming up against Carlisle on Saturday and there's always pressure but we want to take confidence from the win.

"That is what we will do."

When pressed on whether he felt his job was on the line Hutchings would only say: "David Moyes, Everton manager, said he fears for his job every day."

Reuben Reid's second-half double ended Fleetwood's challenge, after the Cod Army had pushed their League One opponents all the way over two games.

After sneaking through against Blue Square Premier opponents Hutchings insisted only progress, not the performance, counted.

He said: "We got through, it doesn't matter how. We didn't expect anything else from them, it's a cup tie.

"The most important thing is we kept a clean sheet, won the game and we're looking forward to the next round. That's all that matters.

"You are on a hiding to nothing in these games, as we were when we went to Stourbridge last year. We wanted to be in the hat for the next round and that's what we've done.

"We were up against it at their place and have done well."

A spate of injuries and unavailability hampered depleted Walsall and Hutchings highlighted he was missing some key players.

He said: "Jonathan Macken and Clayton McDonald were just short of fitness, Ryan McGivern and Andy Butler couldn't play and we were missing Martin Devaney and Darren Byfield

"As you could see with the bench, we were a little threadbare."