Sean O'Driscoll: Learning curve for Walsall

Despite enjoying the lion's share of possession in the first half, the Saddlers found themselves two goals down the break thanks to quick fire strikes from Hal Robson-Kanu and Matej Vydra.

Danny Williams and on loan Watford man Vydra extended the Royals lead after the break, but O'Driscoll felt there were still plenty of positives his team could draw on.

"I thought it took us a while to work out what we needed to do - but I thought once we did that we were well in the game," the head coach said.

"It's disappointing that it was a quick throw from Chris Gunter that did us.

"We were probably a bit shell shocked and a good worked goal saw us go 2-0 down.

"But I said to them at half-time, these are a battle hardened Championship team and they are going to do the right things at the right times.

"Sometimes it won't be pretty but it will test our organisation and discipline and we have to make sure our decision making is better.

"I thought we were excellent in the second half until the two centre-backs made a mistake and then all of a sudden we are 3-0 down.

"But I think the boys will put this to bed. We won't analyse it to death because we knew the lessons we had to learn and we have learnt them.

"We have got a lot of games coming up. A lot of big games. So I think some of the lessons they have learnt will stand them in good stead."

The result means the Saddlers 13-year wait to make it through to the fifth round of the FA Cup rumbles on.

Walsall also saw Neil Etheridge stretched off in the second half with the keeper now a major doubt for Tuesday's trip to Doncaster.

"Neil has cut his knee - it's similar to the injury he had earlier in the season," O'Driscoll added.

"Hopefully it's not anything other than a nasty cut. The early prognosis is that he caught a stud and it's give him a great big cut."