Defeat was 'criminal' for Walsall says boss Dean Smith

The Saddlers were beaten 2-1 by the exiled Sky Blues at Northampton Town's Sixfields Stadium and have now lost their last three games and are without a win in six.

But Smith felt they were more than worthy of a point.

"I'm amazed we didn't get anything," he said. "Absolutely amazed – I thought we were outstanding in the second half.

"We moved the ball really well against a really good team. We moved it well, put them under pressure, got the ball in the box and got shots in. Their keeper has made some really good saves. I'm proud of the way we played. It's criminal we have come away with nothing."

Coventry led 1-0 at half-time thanks to Callum Wilson's goal – though Smith felt the strike shouldn't have stood because of a foul on Febian Brandy in the build-up.

Mal Benning equalised early in the second period with his first senior career goal but the Saddlers were stung by Villa loanee Nathan Delfouneso's winner six minutes from time.

Defeat meant they missed the chance to make up ground on sixth-placed Peterborough and have taken just two points during their winless run.

But Smith feels the play-offs can still be achieved. "It's certainly possible for us," he said. "We are not giving up by any shadow of a doubt.

"We have worked really hard to get where we are. People can talk about being on a slump of result but performances? No chance.

"There is no slump at all and we won't have that in our dressing room.

"We are all about performances and if we keep putting in performances like that, we will get wins."

Walsall suffered a blow earlier in the day when it emerged their appeal against Sam Mantom's red card at Preston had been unsuccessful. The midfielder missed last night's game and is also out of the forthcoming home games with Wolves and Crewe.

Match report – Page 70

"I'm probably guessing all three of the appeal board didn't think it was a sending off but unfortunately the criteria they have to look at is was it an obvious mistake from the referee," said Smith.

"I do hope the referee doesn't go away thinking he has made a good decision because it was a poor decision and Sam should not have been sent off.

"But we have to abide by what the appeal panel has come up with."