Dean Smith: Walsall fell short up front
Manager Dean Smith claimed Walsall did not show enough desire in attack after they lost at home to bottom-of-the-table Crewe.
Adam Dugdale grabbed the winner for the visitors six minutes from time when he pounced on an error by Romaine Sawyers.
Jordan Cook had the Saddlers best chance but saw his chip saved by Crewe keeper Ben Garrett – who was otherwise untroubled all afternoon.
Smith felt his side deserved something from the game but lacked impetus in the final third.
"I don't think we deserved to lose," said Smith. "I think for a lot of the game we were the better team but didn't really show a lot of desire to get the ball in the back of their net.
"The goal can happen. I feel sorry for Romaine who has mis-kicked it.
"We did not show enough nous to open them up and Cookie looked our most likely goalscorer today with a few headers and we did not work their goalkeeper anywhere near enough.
The defeat ended a four-game unbeaten at home and Smith added: "It's very frustrating because our last three home performances have been very good and we had spells today where we did play well.
"The first 20 minutes of the second half was more like ourselves where you expected us to go and score and for whatever reason James Chambers came off the pitch to change his boots and momentum seemed to change in that instant.
"We never wrestled it back. It's a disappointing result."
