Express & Star

Dean Keates confirms Josh Ginnelly bid after Walsall draw with Peterborough

Walsall boss Dean Keates admitted he was at a loss as to how his team didn’t beat Peterborough - with the manager also confirming a bid has been tabled for Josh Ginnelly.

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Goals from Isaiah Osbourne and Ivan Toney saw the Saddlers held to a 1-1 draw at London Road.

Keates’ men had 12 shots on target over the course of the 90 minutes. But they also missed three glorious late chances.

Luke Leahy saw a penalty saved, Josh Gordon headed straight at Conor Malley just yards from goal while Andy Cook was also denied by the keeper when he made a brilliant double stop.

But while Keates was pleased with his side’s performance on the back of their loss at Bradford last weekend, he admitted they should have taken all three points.

“If I am honest I am lost for words,” the boss said.

“We have given a bad goal away. When the corner comes in, it’s a blatant foul on Robbo (Liam Roberts). It’s a foul. Our goalkeeper is pinned in.

“After that, take the penalty out the game - that can happen, Luke stepped up the other week and scored against Coventry. And we’re all hoping it’ll be the same again. It’s not happened this time.

“But before that, it’s chances galore. I think we have had 12 attempts on target.

“I don’t want to talk negatively about it. I want to be positive. We had a disastrous second-half at Bradford last week. I asked for a reaction and a performance and we got that.

“We have come away to one of the favourites to win promotion and had 12 shots on goal while they have had one shot from distance other than the goal scored.

“We have missed a penalty we have had two or three cleared off the line. We have had free headers that should have been goals.

“It’s a hard one to take, we are talking about a draw that feels like a defeat.

“But as I said, we need to be as positive as we can. We are gutted not to come away with all three points because we deserved all three points - there is no doubt about that.

“It was a good away performance, we created a lot of chances and on the back of last week it’s a positive step forward.”

Keates admitted he left Ginnelly out the squad with reports emerging this morning the winger is interesting Championship outfit Preston.

“Josh is not here today - there are one or two things going on,” Keates continued.

“We have had an offer for him and I had to make a decision that was best for the group. He hasn’t travelled with us.

“A concrete offer has been tabled and I had to make a decision for the football club and I think that was justified today.

“What happens over the next two weeks with Josh will happen.”

Keates also confirmed Russell Martin didn’t play at Peterborough due to the defender having a minor injury.