'Warriors' - Mat Sadler hails Walsall's performance in victory at Oldham
Mat Sadler has described Walsall as "warriors" after his team beat Oldham Athletic 1-0 at Boundary Park to climb four points clear at the top of League Two.
Daniel Kanu scored the match-winner in the 27th-minute after capitalising on an error by Luke Hannant to reach double figures for goals in all competitions.
The 21-year-old has netted in each of his last three league appearances and helped the Saddlers' register a sixth successive away win in all competitions.
Joe Quigley hit the post with a low shot from the edge of the box earlier in the first half and Myles Roberts was forced into a couple of stops after the break.
However, it was a game of limited opportunities and Sadler was particularly pleased with how his team mixed in as a unit on the night.
"It was a great team goal. Lewis Warrington closed down their player and forced the mistake," boss Sadler said.
"Daniel then does what Daniel does best and he was exceptional in that moment.
"It was a game of limited chances and that's the way the game was played.
"When we got the goal, we knew we were protecting our lead and I felt reasonably untroubled.
"There were a couple of balls into our box at times, but it was a proper team performance and we've got some real warriors."
Sadler made no fewer than six changes from the team that started the Saddlers' 2-0 win at Gateshead in the FA Cup on Sunday.
Dan Cox made his first league start in almost four months and Rico Browne, Vincent Harper, Lewis Warrington, Jamie Jellis and Charlie Lakin were also recalled.
Evan Weir and Jid Okeke were both absent from the squad, while Priestley Farquharson, Brandon Comley, Ryan Finnigan and Courtney Clarke dropped to the bench.
Sadler confirmed that Okeke will be in contention for the visit of local rivals Shrewsbury Town on Saturday, while Weir was purely rested.
"Jid is still feeling the effects of that knee to the back, but he should be fine for Saturday.
"Evo was just purely because I wanted to make sure that everyone is ready to play and is able to contribute.
"I've just got to be so careful with our guys that played this week. Three games in six days is no mean feat for anybody.
"We had to make sure that the minutes were right for anybody but we've got a really good squad of players.
"So it's just the next one along and I'm just pleased that everyone knows their job because it's a squad game."
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