Walsall Head Coach Brian Dutton praised his team’s character as they battled to a goalless draw against play-off chasing Exeter City.
The Saddlers earned their fifth clean sheet of the season at St James’ Park in a game that saw little goal-mouth action.
Dutton admitted the quality in possession could have been better but he was pleased with the spirit of his players.
“We have got character amongst that squad,” said Dutton.
“The only time I’ve been let down since I’ve been Head Coach was the previous game when Bradford came to town, it was a case that we were beat before we crossed the line.
“Every other game, there was positives to take from the game. In the Stevenage game we go down to 10 men and players fought for the point. What we’ve got to change at the club, I spoke about it with the lads, is the mentality. We go a goal down and then we come out fighting.
“We can’t do that, we’ve got go a goal up and go and get the second, then the third and have that killer instinct about us. That’s going to take a bit of time, we need a win to breed confidence but the lads gave me the bare minimum tonight in terms of fight, spirit and getting that point on the board.
“It was definitely not one for the purists, our backs were against the wall, we needed men out there who put their bodies on the line and run themselves into the ground.
“We had a point on the board before the referees blew his whistle and we’ve kept that point right through to the 93rd/94th minute so fantastic character from the lads.
“Could the quality be better in possession? Of course it could. I think it’s a bit of a case of back to basics, let’s be hard to beat, let’s get that point on the board and try to push for three points where we can but I am delighted with the point.”
Dutton’s side are back on the road on Saturday as they travel to promotion hunting Cambridge United.
Watch the game live on iFollow by purchasing a match pass here.