Brentford 0-1 Walsall: Dean Smith and Sean O'Driscoll reaction

Brentford head coach Dean Smith vowed to "look at the bigger picture" after defeat by former side Walsall in the FA Cup third round.

The Bees boss rested four first-choice players ahead of two huge Sky Bet Championship games in four days against Middlesbrough and Burnley, and Saddlers midfielder Sam Mantom made him pay with a superb first-half winner.

But Smith, who spent five years at Walsall before making the switch in November, said: "I wanted to win the game, especially against my former club, but I have to look at the bigger picture. I'll tell you if I did the right thing after the Burnley game."

Smith said his lacklustre side were "not good enough" in the first half and accused them of "wanting to score the perfect goal" against the Sky Bet League One front-runners.

He rested players down the spine of the Bees side while Walsall welcomed back three first-teamers, and Sean O'Driscoll's side always looked the hungrier for the win as a result.

Irish international Alan Judge, a target for Sheffield Wednesday, transformed the Londoners at the break and underlined his importance to the side.

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But Brentford found Saddlers keeper Neil Etheridge in superb form to deny Philipp Hofmann, Judge and substitute Marco Djuricin after the break.

It was too little too late for the hosts, who failed to get a shot on target until the 43rd minute with target man Hofmann a lonely figure up top.

Smith added: "In the second half we were a lot better but we didn't take our chances so I might look back at the team selection, but I have to have the bigger picture in mind. With games on Tuesday and Friday only time will tell if I made the right decision."

Smith laughed off the jibes from a section of Walsall fans who once adored him, adding: "I'm glad that they called me ginger because I was worried I was going a bit grey."

Walsall manager O'Driscoll paid tribute to match-winner Mantom, whose powerful run and driven curling finish was worthy of a place in the fourth round.

"I don't know quite how he managed to do it from that angle but it was a beautiful strike. The most important thing is that this was a good reaction after the home defeat to Rochdale," he said.

"We got a goal and something to hang on to but we were grateful to our keeper for several excellent saves in the end. We were dangerous in the first half and I was pleased that we picked our moments to break or keep the ball."

After paying tribute to his three substitutes who slotted into the game, he added: "There are a lot of intangibles at Walsall, but one thing is certain... if we get a goal up we're a difficult team to beat.

"As much as you want a cup run, we have small squad. But players are human beings and want to pit their wits against one of the big boys."