Dean Keates felt one lapse in concentration cost his side as the Saddlers slipped to a 1-0 defeat at play-off chasing Scunthorpe.
The decisive goal came with 14 minutes remaining when the unmarked Ryan Yates powered home a diving header from Conor Townsend’s cross, after the Saddlers had switched off from a throw-in.
“If I’m honest, 0-0 would probably have been a fair result,” said the boss.
“You give someone a free header in your 18-yard box, you give them an opportunity to score a goal, and that’s what happened.
“It’s concentration levels – you can’t switch off and allow that to happen.
“They put a cross in from a throw-in and we didn’t close it down quick enough. The ball has come in the box and we’ve switched off.
“The lads gave it everything and we had a few opportunities ourselves. We got into some decent areas and we frustrated them.
“You could hear the crowd get a little bit edgy, but you can’t switch off.”
The result leaves the Saddlers just one point above the relegation zone, with three games remaining.
“The comfort we take is the fact it’s in our hands,” Keates added.
“We can control it, but we’re running out of games and teams are picking up points.
“We’ve got to pick up a win. Out of the three games, we’ve got to be looking at a minimum of two wins to make sure we’re in League One.”
The Saddlers’ next match is at home to fellow strugglers Northampton – and Keates is hoping the fans turn up in large numbers.
“Northampton is massive now. We’ve got a week to get ready for it and, all being well, we can go and get three points.
“The fans were outstanding [at Scunthorpe] and we’ll need as many people there as possible, to make a difference and get behind the lads.”