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Darrell Clarke delighted with Walsall 'effort and determination.'

Darrell Clarke praised the effort and determination of his players after Walsall began life in League Two with a 1-0 win at Northampton.

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In what was an honest and gritty display from the Saddlers, a solitary goal from James Clarke was enough to clinch the points at Sixfields.

Walsall had to rely on goalkeeper Liam Roberts at times with the glovesman making two outstanding stops over the course of the 90 minutes.

But overall they defended superbly to clinch the three points.

“It was an ugly, scruffy 1-0,” Clarke said.

“The first game of the season, things take time to calm down.

“One thing you will learn from me is that I never get carried away.

“We will enjoy the win with the fans and the supporters. We had fantastic support. That was a thank-you to them.

“It was a scruffy game. Our keeper has had to pull out some good saves, some top saves.

“And that is what you need if you are going to win away from home in this league.

“I am really pleased with clean-sheet, really pleased with the effort and determination of the group. To not give anything away, it’s good game management.”

As well as Roberts and James Clarke, centre-backs Dan Scarr and Mat Sadler also impressed for the Saddlers.

Clarke though refused to get carried away.

“It’s one game - we have defended well in this particular game,” he added.

“But they have got in a couple of times, they have had a couple of opportunities.

“We will go in on Monday, analyse the good bits, the bad bits and then we will work towards the next game.

“We’ll enjoy this for a couple of days and then it’s back to work.”