Dean Smith: We didn't deserve to lose
Walsall boss Dean Smith felt his team did enough to warrant at least a point following the 2-1 defeat at home to Chesterfield.
Goals from ex-Wolves man Sylvan Ebanks-Blake and Ian Evatt gave Dean Saunders' side a two-goal head start before Matt Preston reduced the arrears in stoppage time.
The result means the Saddlers drop to second League One, two points behind new leaders Gillingham.
But while admitting his side weren't at their best, Smith felt they should have taken at least one point from the clash after his side twice hit the post and saw keeper Tommy Lee make a string of fine saves.
"I am disappointed," Smith said.
"We didn't start well, they scored the goal and I think after that one team was trying to play and the other team was trying to spoil it.
"We have hit the post. The keeper has made a great save from Tom Bradshaw and after 15 minutes it was attack vs defence. But the goals have killed us."
Goalkeeper Neil Etheridge received a knock in the build-to Chesterfield's second goal and Smith felt that played a factor in Saunders' side doubling their lead.
"The second goal - Neil's injury has probably caused it," he said.
"He would normally come for that ball, I think but he has got a deep gash in his knee that is now going to require eight to 10 stitches.
"It was one of them, if we had scored earlier I would have fancied us to claw it back. I don't think I've seen many teams try and kill the game off in the corner with 15 minutes to go so it was a one-off.
"I don't think we deserved to lose the game, but on the other side of it I don't think the players were at the standards they have been this season.
"There were some uncharacteristic errors on the ball. That is unlike us. But for long periods of that game it was attack vs defence, it was like a training session."
Another player to receive a nasty injury was Sam Mantom who was stretched off in the second half.
But Smith confirmed the midfielder has picked up an ankle knock with the injury nothing to do with the knee injury that ruled him out for the best past of last season.
"Sam has got an ankle strain," the boss added.
"It's too early to say how long he'll be out for, we'll assess him and take it from there."
