Walsall boss Mat Sadler insists his stuttering Saddlers will not let heads drop despite slipping out of League Two’s top three for the first time in five months after a 2-2 draw with Harrogate.
Liam Gordon’s 88th-minute equaliser rescued Walsall a point but they have gone 11 games without a win to drop from first to fourth.
Just three points separate the top four, though, and Sadler remains convinced his side can bounce back.
“I don’t know what that point will mean, time will tell – but it could be a very, very big point,” said Sadler. “We have to keep fighting, keep together and keep scrapping.
“We’re in the mix and it’s another point on our total – a total we know is a healthy one for the season but we want more. We’re not feeling sorry for ourselves – we’re fighters, not victims.
“There will still be plenty of twists and turns between now and the end of the season. The most important thing for us is we’re in the fight – and we’ve got a team who are fighting.
“There’s no part of anybody who doesn’t understand the situation but when you’ve got a group who are fighting that’s a good place to start.
“We have to remember for a lot of this group it’s the first time they’ve experienced this but they are giving everything.”
Walsall led early when Harrogate defender Anthony O’Connor turned Connor Barrett’s low drive into his own net.
But Josh March’s brilliant over-the-shoulder volley drew Town level and they later led thanks to Ellis Taylor’s deflected strike.
Three fine saves from Saddlers keeper Tommy Simkin and Gordon’s measured late finish denied Harrogate victory but their survival is almost assured, seven points clear of danger with three games left.
“At the minute you have to say teams are in worse positions so we’ve got to take those positives,” said Sulphurites boss Simon Weaver.
“But until we’re mathematically safe – which we can be on Monday and were very nearly today – you’ve got to keep ploughing on.
“I’m proud of the players, I thought every single one of them absolutely grafted and it was an intense team performance.
“Shame we couldn’t hold out for the win because we were a threat on the break, we looked solid, defended set-plays well and looked a well-structured team.”
Harrogate also ended a six-game away goal drought in style thanks to March’s spectacular effort – a strike reminiscent of Marco Van Basten’s famous Netherlands goal.
“An incredible finish from such an acute angle so he’s got to be proud of that,” Weaver added.
“It was a spectacular effort, his body shape was perfect when you watch it back. It was one of the goals of the season and we’ve scored a couple of humdingers recently.”
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