Darrell Clarke: Walsall 'relationships' showing

A goal from Rory Holden and a brace from Elijah Adebayo secured the victory, in a game where the Saddlers showed promise throughout.

With the 4-2-3-1 formation proving effective, Clarke is pleased with the blossoming partnerships across the pitch.

“We’re having more of those spells in games where we’re on the front foot, the football is a bit more fluid but that doesn’t happen overnight,” he said.

“It’s about relationships on pitches and players who have an understanding over a period of time.

“It’s an ongoing project this football club and I’m sure the fans are bored of me saying that but I’m hoping they can see one or two bits over the second-half of the season, so far, that they can be pleased with.

“I think they can be pleased with the effort and desire over the season and now we have to get better and keep getting that mentality of winning football games.

“That isn’t easy to get to, we’ve had it before and lost it again - lost the fans again over certain bad runs - now we’ve picked them back up again.

“There’s plenty of work to be done.”

When the teams were locked at 1-1, Exeter had a goal ruled out for offside, despite the linesman originally allowing it to stand.

Exeter manager Matt Taylor was visibly angry at the decision and Clarke admits he sympathises with him, but believes the better team won in the end.

“I thought it was a good performance but at half-time we could have been out of sight to be honest,” he added.

“We were really on the front foot and we know teams like Exeter are going to come back at us, which they did.

“They scored with their first real opportunity of the game.

“They’ll feel a little bit aggrieved and unfortunate for the set piece (goal) that wasn’t.

“I understand that, but for me I feel that the better team won on the day.

“I thought my lads put in a good performance so I’m pleased with them.”