Express & Star

Dean Keates proud of his Walsall players after pitch invasion

Boss Dean Keates has hailed Walsall for staying strong amid a pitch invasion and alleged bottle-throwing to get back to winning ways at the Banks's.

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The Saddlers beat Coventry City 3-2 in the FA Cup first round on Saturday, after losing their two previous home outings.

They went two up inside the first half an hour but were pegged back to 2-2, with scores of Sky Blues supporters going onto the grass following the equaliser.

Nicky Devlin then fired home his first Walsall goal, on his 53rd appearance, to seal their place in tonight's second round draw.

"What's happened after (Coventry's second goal), it becomes a difficult situation," said Keates.

"They've run across the pitch and stuff like that – but it did not affect the players.

"They regrouped. To a man, I thought they were absolutely outstanding.

"It's been a difficult few weeks for them but they've stuck together. It's a group that works hard."

After encroaching onto the field of play, Coventry fans were told over the PA system the game would be abandoned if they did so again.

Explaining how referee Thomas Bramall dealt with that situation, and also a beer bottle allegedly being aimed at Saddlers skipper George Dobson, Keates added: "The referee came over and explained the situation – if they come on the pitch again, he has got to think of the players' welfare.

"That's fair enough. There were a few beer bottles thrown at our players and it's something the club will have to look at, internally, and then make sure it doesn't happen again.

"The referee has brought it over. It was thrown at Dobbo.

"There's mindless people that sometimes spoil it.

"But, right at the start, the minute's silence, both sets of fans were unbelievable.

"And on two minutes, the Coventry fans clapped unbelievably well for the young lad (Teddie Phillips) who has passed away.

"Some people get carried away. Nothing untoward has come of it so all being well, it is dealt with in the right way."

Coventry chief Mark Robins, on the behaviour of their supporters, said: "I have not seen a bottle thrown. I only want to talk about the football.

"All I have seen is we have equalised, the supporters have gone to celebrate as is normal with the exception of being on the pitch which is not acceptable.

"You have got to behave yourselves and not enter the field of play, that is disappointing. But they are brilliant supporters, in general."