Express & Star

Walsall boss Dean Keates buoyed by improved Walsall performance

Boss Dean Keates was pleased with his team’s performance and felt they could have been awarded a penalty as Walsall were held to a goalless draw at Fleetwood.

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In a clash moved to a noon kick-off for live television coverage, the Saddlers forced 10 corners in a first-half they controlled.

Jon Guthrie headed one wide at the back post while Russell Martin also headed over when he should have scored.

After the break, Joey Barton’s side improved but Walsall could have been awarded a spot-kick late on when Morgan Ferrier was blocked from latching onto a Luke Leahy long-throw.

“Performance-wise, it was a lot better than what it’s been over the last few weeks,” Keates said.

“We were fairly dominant in the first half – we went in at half-time having had 10 corners and we added to that in the second half.

“We had two free headers and we are disappointed we didn’t connect on them – Russell Martin and Jon Guthrie should have done better.

“Second half, Fleetwood stepped it up a little bit but we created opportunities as well.

“We are disappointed and on another day we could maybe have had three points - there’s a possibility of a penalty at the end of the game.

“I’ve seen it back, there’s been penalties given against us for less this season, let’s put it that way. You just hope it works out over the course of the season.

Walsall have conceded two or more goals in each of their last seven outings. And Keates admitted he was particularly pleased with the clean sheet on the Fylde Coast.

“Give the lads credit, they chipped away at it again today,” the boss added.

“They kept going but the pleasing thing for us was the clean sheet.

“We’ve conceded a lot of sloppy goals – ones where we’ve played our own part in – over the last few weeks but we nullified Fleetwood today.

“They score a lot of goals in the first half but I thought the first half today we were the more capable team.”