Walsall overcome illness to secure 'valuable' point

Walsall defender Aden Flint has praised the whole squad for "digging deep" in Saturday's 0-0 draw away to League Two title and promotion rivals Notts County.

Flint was amongst a number of the Sadlers squad playing despite illness in the camp during the week.

The draw keeps them top of the table on goal difference from Swindon Town, with Notts County slipping to fourth.

"Not everyone was feeling 100%, including me, but we dug in and did what we needed to do", Flint told BBC WM.

"If you'd said before the game would you take a point we'd probably say no because we want to keep winning games of football, but its a big point and a clean sheet against a really good footballing side.

"Going forward is what let us down a bit today, but its a valuable point and we go forward. Hopefully it'll be a big point towards the end of the season."

The result gives Walsall a fourth successive clean sheet in the league away from home before two successive home games against Crewe and Oldham over Christmas.

"Its not just me, but the two lads either side of me, and the whole team really, as well as the keeper," Flint added.

"We're on a decent run, and we want to continue that. I've always said, goals win you games, but clean sheets win you championships and get you promoted.

"If we keep on doing that, we won't be too far away come the end of the season."

Walsall play four games in 10 days before their trip to Championship strugglers Norwich City in the third round of the FA Cup, and Flint concedes its a pivotal couple of weeks.

"Its a big period, so many games in such a short amount of time," he said. "You can put another mini-run together and if you can put points on the board, it starts creating gaps. "