Walsall always expected deviations - boss Sadler

Walsall became the second Black Country side beaten at Fleetwood this season following West Bromwich Albion's League Cup exit in August

Walsall boss Mat Sadler says he always expected a few "deviations" in the road for his table-topping Saddlers this season in the wake of Tuesday's defeat at Fleetwood - a surprise second straight loss for the League Two leaders.

The 2-0 slip-up on the Lancashire coast followed Saturday's 3-0 thumping by Bradford City - the first time the Saddlers have lost back-to-back games.

After the loss of in-form loan man Nathan Lowe back to parent club Stoke City, their other main striker Jamille Matt was absent with a hamstring injury.

Having limped off at Valley Parade on Saturday after just 33 minutes, Matt was again missing at Highbury, which allowed a first league start for on-loan Manchester United teenager Ethan Wheatley.

But Sadler cannot yet put a date on Matt's likely return.

"It's not a bad one," Sadler told BBC Radio WM. "It's not going to keep him out too long."

Jamille Matt has contributed nine goals to promotion-chasing Walsall's cause this season

Walsall, who have not lost three games in a row since Sadler took charge in May 2023, now host play-off hopefuls Salford City on Saturday, when they will be back on a better playing surface than they had at Highbury.

"The pitch was horrible," Sadler added. "There wasn't a lot of quality football played from either side. And the game was won and lost on set plays. That's what cost us. It was always going to be the case that set plays woud play such a big part on such a difficult pitch.

"We're frustrated to lose again. It's two defeats in two. It is what it is. The key for us is making sure we dust ourselves down to go again.

"If anyone out there thought it would be a straight line from A to B once we hit the top and opened up that gap then they're mistaken. It wasn't ever going to be. We will just do our best to respond like I know we can."

Walsall are still 11 points clear of second place

Thanks to Crewe Alexandra missing a chance to halve the gap by losing and drawing successive home games, Walsall remain 11 points clear.

"Nobody in Walsall should have anything but praise for what we've done," Sadler said.

"I always say to the players don't get too high when you win and too low when you lose. That's how it has to be. And we've already found answers to the many conundrums of winter before. "

Mat Sadler was talking to BBC Radio WM's Steve Hermon