Dean Smith laments bore draw

Boss Dean Smith today hailed Walsall's resilience at Brentford but admitted he was disappointed not to win for record-breaking keeper Jimmy Walker.

The Saddlers' 0-0 draw at Brentford ensured they stayed out of the League One relegation zone – on Walker's 530th club record appearance.

And Smith insisted they deserved their battling point at Griffin Park as Walker, who broke Colin Harrison's record, cemented himself in Saddlers history.

"We never looked like conceding but it's unfortunate we didn't get the goal we wanted," he said.

"Wacka deserved his clean sheet and it would have been nice to have won it for him but it's still a great achievement from him.

"For him it was perfect in the sense we didn't concede but he did what he needed to do.

"It could have been three points but we're playing very well at the moment. Our performance levels are good and I'm really pleased with how we're going."

But Smith conceded the Saddlers had the chances to win after Jon Macken was denied by Simon Moore and Alex Nicholls squandered two late openings.

He said: "That was the only thing which was missing. We looked a threat with Alex getting in behind and Jamie Paterson came into it in the second half."