'Wasn't meant to be' - Mat Sadler on Walsall's defeat at Cambridge United

Walsall remain third in the table, but Sadler argued that his side were unfortunate to come away with a defeat.

"We played very well in the first half and we were only watching the game towards their goal," boss Sadler said.

"So the frustration was that we do concede, especially in the 47th-minute of the game. 

"We want to make sure that we kick it out at that point and we want to be ruthless when our chances come. 

"It's very difficult to be disappointed with the performance because we played very well, but on the day the luck wasn't with us. 

"I'm not going to get too disheartened when we perform like that. We've had some incredible away days, we've had some incredible away victories. 

"Today wasn't meant to be unfortunately and we have to dust ourselves down and go again.

"Those key moments for us in the game didn't fall our way. We should've had another penalty and we had a penalty that we didn't score. 

"So there were more than enough opportunities to get the points that I thought we deserved." 

Daniel Kanu had a penalty claim waved away when he was pulled down inside the penalty area just before he looked set to pull the trigger. 

Sadler was critical of the decision not to award a penalty, although the referee did point to the spot when Courtney Clarke had his heals clipped inside the box. 

Aaron Pressley stepped up to take it but was denied by Jake Eastwood from 12 yards.

"He has pulled him down. He is the other side of him and he has pulled him down," he added.

"I don't understand why it was not given. It's a ridiculous decision by the referee and I think everyone in the stadium can see it's a penalty." 

Jamille Matt went down on a couple of occasions during the first half, before eventually having to succumb to his early knock. 

Sadler does not expect it to be a serious issue and is hopeful he will be able to call upon Matt for the visit of Fleetwood Town on Sunday.

"We did [lose Jamille] unfortunately and I think that had an impact on the game because Jamille was beating them up in the way we wanted him to," he revealed. 

"Jamille doing what he does, some of that work goes so unnoticed because it creates space for Daniel and our other attacking players. 

"It was disappointing that he had to come off but I think he's fine. He had a hyperextension of his knee, which he has had throughout his career. 

"There was just some old war wounds opening up, but hopefully he'll be OK to play on Sunday."