Saddlers boss frustrated by poor display

WALSALL head coach Brian Dutton felt the Saddlers were fortunate to pick up a 0-0 draw at struggling Southend on Tuesday night.

The second from bottom Shrimpers played the final 23 minutes with 10 men after Sam Hart was sent off for a poor challenge on Derick Osei Yaw. But Dutton still thought Walsall, who have now won just once in 17 games, were lucky not to lose. His Saddlers side face Grimsby Town on Saturday in another huge relegation battle.

“It was a fortunate point for us,” said Dutton.

“Southend were the better team and probably deserved all three points. We’ve got away with one and I’m not happy in the slightest. “It’s a big learning curve again but I have to say Tom Leak was outstanding. For a young lad to come in for his EFL debut in a high-pressure game like that, was outstanding.

“It was a stand-out man-of-thematch performance and it looked like he had over 100 League games not just one. He was a credit to his family and everyone at Walsall Football Club.”

Walsall remain 20th in the standings, eight points above second from bottom Southend. But both sides showed just why they have struggled in recent weeks during a drab encounter. Southend, who have failed to score in six of their last seven games, came close to opening the scoring when Timothee Dieng headed Hart’s corner against the bar in the first half.

In reply, the Saddlers’ Josh Gordon sliced an effort wide of the post when well placed before the hosts were reduced to 10 men when Hart was sent off for a high and late challenge on Osei Yaw.