Walsall must keep going - Saddlers boss Dean Smith

Smith took over in January with Walsall bottom of the table

Walsall boss Dean Smith is keen to ensure his side do not get ahead of themselves after moving out of the League One relegation zone.

The Saddlers' 1-0 win over Southampton saw them rise out of the bottom four for the first time since October.

He told BBC WM: "The only important thing for myself and the team is that we're there at the end of the season.

"We've got to keep the points coming thick and fast, there's still a lot of hard work to do."

While keeping his feet on the ground, Smith expressed his pride in the Saddlers' achievement at beating one of the favourites for promotion.

"It's a fantastic result for the team and the football club. Yes, we had a charmed life at times, and maybe a little bit of luck was with us today, but there have certainly been games this season where we haven't had that.

"I said from the start that our destiny will lie at the Bescot Stadium, and we've started to pick up points. I think in the last four games we've had three clean sheets and we've played particularly well in them.

The former Walsall centre-back has made an impressive start to his career in management with 17 points from 13 games, the same as the club managed in 21 matches under Chris Hutchings.

"I'm enjoying it," he said. "The training ground is a great place, that's the place I like to do my work, and hopefully the players are going out on the pitch and doing what the fans want them to do.

"Our points tally hasn't been as good as what I think the performances have shown, but they're doing what I'm asking of them."