Clarke is all smiles after Iron are dented

WALSALL manager Darrell Clarke insisted he was not looking any further ahead than today’s clash with Carlisle after the Saddlers extended their unbeaten league run to six matches.

Goals from Wes McDonald and Alfie Bates at the end of each half secured Walsall victory over Scunthorpe, but Clarke was keeping his feet on the ground.

He said: “I don’t think about things like the momentum being with us, because a kick in the nasties is always just around the corner. I just focus on the next game.

“They put us under a fair bit of pressure at times but I thought we defended superbly.

“Liam (Roberts) pulled off a great save at 1-0, but they are the fine lines of League Two.

“Credit to my boys, they put in a good shift and managed to pick up three points.

“All season the desire and commitment has been there, we’re just trying to get better and better.

“That’s four points from two away games now and everyone would have snapped your hand off for that before the game.

“That’s our fifth away win in the league this season. We’ve got to keep chipping away while trying to give our home fans a bit more to shout about.”

Caolan Lavery squandered an early chance when denied by the legs of Rory Watson, but McDonald’s wellworked opening, which saw his shot across goal deflect into the top corner, was against the run of play.

In the second half, Scunthorpe piled on the pressure – but the Saddlers’ defence held firm.

Lee Novak went close, as did Levi Sutton – who saw one strike from range tipped on to the bar and another bounce inches wide after taking a deflection.

But any hopes they had of an equaliser disappeared when Walsall broke quickly six minutes from time and Bates fired in his first league goal from inside the box.

Scunthorpe boss Paul Hurst said: “Naturally we’re disappointed.

“It’s the sort of game that probably six or seven times out of 10 you win with the chances we created, but full credit to Walsall for working extremely hard.

“They made it difficult for us, but we still managed quite a few efforts.”