Mullen tells squad to clear heads

Mullen called the defeat to Luton Town one of the worst of his career

Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen told his players to use their time off before Saturday's FA Cup tie to "get their minds right" after the defeat by Luton.

The Saddlers were dumped out of the Johnstone's Paint Trophy 1-0 by the Football League's bottom club on Tuesday following a woeful performance.

Mullen told BBC WM: "We spoke long and hard about it. I gave them a day off to get their minds right quickly.

"We can make all sorts of excuses but it wasn't good enough."

I was absolutely convinced we were going to win the game

Walsall boss Jimmy Mullen

The League One side were fancied to do well in the competition and were just four games away from making their first-ever trip to Wembley.

But the Hatters book their place in the Southern Area semi-final with a last-minute breakaway winner on a night that Mullen says was possibly the worst of his career.

"I was absolutely convinced we were going to win," Mullen said.

"To come into the dressing room after a performance like that was one of the biggest disappointments I've had."

Walsall get the chance to make amends when they take on League One leaders Scunthorpe at the Banks's Stadium in Saturday's FA Cup first-round tie (1500 GMT).