'A lot to like' - Mat Sadler reacts as Walsall salvage 2-2 draw at Grimsby

Sadler said he will need to see the incident back before reaching a verdict, but the sending off swung the pendulum firmly the Mariners' favour. 

Andy Cook scored twice against his former club after the break, but Aaron Pressley rescued a point with a 72nd-minute equaliser. 

"There was a lot to like about the team tonight. Anyone who doubts us, we're just going to keep proving people wrong," boss Sadler said.

"That's how we need to go about things. I just said that to the lads, that belief of who we are was very much evident today. 

"I was gutted when we went down to 10-men and that changed the course of the game, but until then I thought we were outstanding. 

"I'd have to see the sending off back again to see whether it was. I didn't see whether he actually touched him, but I didn't think he did. 

"But we had to show a different side to us. You know you're going to come under pressure but for us to show that heart and willingness to get back into the game was very pleasing."

Co-chairman Ben Boycott had jetted over from the US to address the recent situation, as they headed to Blundell Park off the back of a five-match winless run. 

Although they extended that sequence to six, Walsall can take many positives from the performance, and the way they fought for a point. 

"Ben wouldn't be the one finding the solution, obviously he very much trusts me to get on with that," he added. 

"We've reconnected with Ben over the past couple of days and we have a fantastic relationship. 

"I'm sure some of the stuff that we saw tonight and in training, and to see that come out in the game, was pleasing to see." 

Top scorer Daniel Kanu missed out due to illness, as Sadler made five changes, and switched to a box midfield.

On the game plan, he explained: "We worked on it a lot [the formation]. That's how we thought we needed to go in this game. 

"I'm not saying that will always be the case but for this game was felt it was the right way to go. 

"I hadn't fully made my decision on how that was going to look, but with Daniel not playing, it presented opportunities for other guys. 

"And I think they took it. There were some really strong performances and it suited some of our midfield players really well. 

"That post window reshuffle and we've had a few teething problems. But within all of that, I know we've got a very good squad and a squad capable of going and picking up wins and points."

There was doubts whether the game would go ahead after the surface resembled a mud bath during the Mariners' 1-0 defeat against Wolves in the FA Cup on Sunday.