Darren Byfield makes "consistency" call after Walsall win at Barrow

Albert Adomah pounced on Daniel Kanu’s rebounded effort to provide Walsall with the breakthrough just past the half-hour mark.

Mason Hancock opened his goal scoring account for the club on the cusp of half-time, before bagging his brace with a free-kick in the second half.

Jovan Malcolm climbed off the bench to score a late consolation for Walsall, who ended a run of four matches without a win in League Two.

Byfield calls for consistency

But a run of just four wins from the 20 games prior has ultimately seen them fall short in the play-off race and Byfield has called for his team to showcase the type of quality produced in Cumbria on a consistent basis.

“We’ve got really good players at this club. The problem has been consistency and you become a good team once you get that,” interim head coach Byfield said.

“We’re a good team every now and then which isn’t good enough. We have to be more consistent, we have to make sure we don’t give them anything.

“Even the goal I’m disappointed that we conceded. We have to have that focus and that pride to make sure they don’t get anything.”

Barrow arguably had the better of the play in the opening exchanges - although Kanu did come agonisingly close to breaking the deadlock with an early volley.

Byfield admitted his side “went off script” early on but was pleased with the way they recovered to take control of the contest.

“We went off script in the first 10 minutes. I understand it because it’s football and they feel different emotions during the game,” he continued.

“But after that, I thought we were superb, managed the game well, created lots of chances and controlled the football.

“There were some great runs in behind from Daniel Kanu, Jid Okeke and Albert Adomah - it’s a front-three that can scare anyone in this league.

“Then we had Chaz [Lakin] and Jamie Jellis in behind. The front-five were very good and the guys behind them were too.”

Hancock hailed after Walsall brace

Hancock has started every game under Byfield and rewarded him with his first two goals for the club.

And Byfield suggested his match-winning afternoon was the reward for his work both on and off the pitch.

“He has been the standout performer since he came back from his injury,” he concluded.

“Since he has gone to left-back, he has been another level. I know the fans see the performance on the pitch, but he’s also a top guy off it.

“He wants to be the best that he can be. I’m known for the energy that I want to bring to a group but he’s another level with his.”