'Unbelievable' - Darren Byfield hails Walsall match-winner Alex Pattison after Newport triumph

Walsall had fell behind through Harrison Biggins seven minutes before half-time, but Daniel Kanu ended his seven-match goal drought after latching on to an assist by Pattison. 

The 28-year-old also set-up the third goal for Albert Adomah in the 3-0 win at Crewe Alexandra last week to take his tally of goal involvements to three in as many games.

'A massive goal' - Byfield hails Walsall hero Pattison

"A massive goal and we definitely deserved it because I thought they were unbelievable in the second half," interim head coach Byfield said.

"I didn't realise how far Patto was out but he deserved it. He was unbelievable today and without that goal he still would've put in an incredible performance. 

"At Crewe, he got an assist for Albert. He came on at Cambridge and did really well again. 

"Then today he had an assist and a goal. He has had three goal involvements in the three games. 

"That's usually enough but it's his performances that has been better than that. He has played so well but that was the added bonus." 

'Hard work and enjoyment'

Walsall headed into the weekend off the back of an eight-match winless run on home soil and were the only team in the division yet to win in front of their own supporters during 2026. 

Byfield has collected seven points from a possible nine during his interim spell in the dugout so far and insists that "hard work" and "enjoyment" are the key to recent results and performances, but that the latter cannot be achieved without the former.

"We have to realise that hard work is what creates that energy from the supporters," he continued.

"We have to just keep enjoying it. It's hard work and enjoyment and you get your enjoyment when you put in the hard work."

Brandon Comley was rested after struggling with fatigue during week, as Byfield made two changes from the goalless draw against Cambridge United on Tuesday. 

Alfie Chang replaced him for his first start since early February and goal scorer Pattison was also given the nod over Jamie Jellis.

'It's a squad game' - Byfield on his selection 

Byfield explained that keeping everybody fresh for the League Two run-in is at the forefront of his mind and was the reasoning behind his selection this afternoon.

"It's a squad game and we've got to keep everybody on their toes. That's what we did today and if it goes wrong then you're going to hear the same things," he noted.

"But we have to keep it fresh. We've got seven games left now and we're pushing. 

"The lads know the end goal, the fans know what the end goal is. We want to get out of the league and we have to keep believing. 

"I believe in that group and I believe in the fans and the energy that they gave today was unbelievable."