Smith hails resilient Saddlers

Walsall boss Dean Smith praised his side after they played almost all of their 1-0 defeat to Sheffield United with 10 men.

The visitors had Dean Holden sent-off for fouling Blades striker Dave Kitson in the area and the resulting 14th-minute penalty was tucked away by Nick Blackman. Walsall refused to capitulate however, with United goalkeeper George Long forced to block Will Grigg's effort before denying the striker again towards the end of the half with a fine save to keep out his close-range effort. "I thought we deserved to get something out of the game, but it wasn't to be," said Smith. "We showed a lot of resolve after going down to 10 men and in spells played some really good football. We were also very organised and protected Karl Darlow really well. "We played for 76 minutes with 10 men and I can't really remember Karl Darlow having much to do, apart from one save at the end when Shaun Miller went through."