Mat Sadler: Caolan Lavery work-rate key to Walsall goals

The 27-year-old’s flick-on set up Josh Gordon for the equaliser on Saturday before his pass allowed Wes McDonald to turn inside and curl in the winner from 25 yards.

And Sadler has praised Lavery for his tireless contribution.

“I’d quite like to highlight Lavery’s play (in the first goal),” he said. “He hustled and bustled – he bullied and used his strength throughout the game.

“He played a part in both goals, but obviously Wes’s goal is a bit of brilliance.

“But Lavs always wants to get on the football, he wants to offer himself.

“With Josh’s goal, he uses a little bit of strength to wedge the player out of the way.

“They were cracking finishes.

“Flash (Josh Gordon) is obviously on top form at the moment and Wes has confidence flowing through his veins.

“You see wide players all the time and they might have a period where a shot or cross doesn’t go well, or the full-back does well against them.

“The thing to keep getting onto Wes is, just keep on going, an opportunity will come – he’s doing that.

“It doesn’t matter when they come, it’s a 95-minute game.

“We’re pleased that one has just perched into the top corner.”

The Saddlers fell behind in the first half after a Panutche Camara strike, despite a positive display from the home side.

The comeback victory was the second consecutive league win at home, after previously struggling on their own turf, and Sadler is keen for the side to take this momentum forward.

“It’s about maintaining that away form and not thinking we can rest on our laurels,” he said. “If we can get a bit of momentum, which hopefully we are doing, at home.

“Especially that first half, there were no boos at the end of the half.

“People saw that there was a lot of energy and front foot play.

“There were two teams really going for it and the manager has picked an attacking team.

“It’s enjoyable to get the three points and it’s about momentum now and kicking on.”