Saddlers boss hails Andy Butler

Boss Dean Smith today saluted super Saddlers skipper Andy Butler after the captain recovered from his Carlisle clanger.

The Walsall chief insisted his lionheart leader inspired his men to a comeback point at the Cumbrians.

Butler hit the post, had a header cleared off the line and won the penalty which earned a 1-1 draw at Brunton Park on Saturday.

It came after he lost possession to gift Lee Miller a seventh minute opener but Smith hailed his response.

"Andy can be quite fiery," he said. "I've been there – you make mistakes, you concede goals and you want to do something about it and he's certainly done that.

"As long as players don't play with their emotions too much – it can get you into trouble – and play with their heads then he's doing the right thing.

"He likes responsibility, on and off the pitch, and he leads by example which is fantastic for us. The lads feed off him and there's a big team ethic here – which is vital for where we want to go.

"Andy was very frustrated because he knows he made a mistake and it's unlike him but he won the penalty, had one cleared off the line and hit the post. He certainly tried his hardest to get it back on an even keel."

Butler was bundled over by Frank Simek nine minutes from time for Alex Nicholls to equalise from the spot – on his 200th appearance – to move the Saddlers one point away from the League One drop zone.

It was their 13th draw of the season – the joint highest in the division – and now Smith wants more wins.

He said: "We've picked up two hard earned points against Brentford and Carlisle who are both play-off contenders. They are two tough places to go and with a bit more luck we could have had six points.

"We'll take it one game at a time, make sure we have the same level of commitment and attitude and we'll be alright.

"I hope we're further up the table before the end and the way we're playing and the belief the lads have got I see no reason why not. The home games are massively important for us and we need to pick up three points against Notts County (next Tuesday)."