Mat Sadler issues strong message to Walsall players after they drop off League Two top spot

Jamille Matt had a goal ruled out for a foul inside the opening 15 seconds before Lorent Tolaj opened the scoring with an exceptional overhead kick after four minutes.

Walsall bounced back with Taylor Allen scoring from the spot after Port Vale were penalised for a handball inside the box. 

Levi Amantchi completed a quick turnaround in the 11th-minute after he controlled Oisin McEntee's hooked cross to tuck his finish past Ben Amos. 

But Vale rallied before the break and hauled themselves level when Ben Garrity powered his half volley beyond Sam Hornby. 

They went ahead before the break after Oisin McEntee was adjudged to have fouled Tolaj inside the box who returned to his feet to score the resulting spot-kick.

On the atmosphere in the dressing room, Sadler said: "I asked them to be disappointed. I don't want to pretend and feel something that they don't feel but we get back to work again on Monday. 

"Everyone will be doubting us now. No problem at all, let everyone doubt us and it's up to us to prove those doubters wrong."

Port Vale leapfrogged Walsall in the table to move into top-spot, as Walsall extended their winless run to nine games. 

They've also collected just two wins in 15 games but Sadler insists there are plenty of big games ahead and that this team will find solutions together.

"There's been loads of opportunities in games where we thought we would come on the end of victories that maybe we've not got over the line with. 

"We want to be on the right side of that. There is no point ignoring that but we also have to focus on performances and what we can control. 

"Today we'll reflect back on the game. These are all new experiences, they're all ones that the group are finding out together and working out together. 

"There are still plenty of big games ahead."