Walsall's Mal Benning has mixed emotions from Coventry defeat

The left-back admitted he had mixed emotions after last night's 2-1 defeat to the Sky Blues.

Benning brought the Saddlers back into the game with a 53rd-minute equaliser, which cancelled out Callum Wilson's first-half opener.

But he also admitted he should have then done more to prevent Mike Petrasso's cross, which allowed Nathan Delfouneso to score an 84th-minute winner for the hosts.

"It's crazy how quickly things change," he said. "I was on top of the world when I scored my goal but personally I could have done much better with their second goal. But these things happen and I will learn from it.

"It was unbelievable when I scored. I can't explain how happy I felt. I thought from that point we could go on and win the match and I think we were on top for much of the second period."

Benning swept home from close range after Coventry keeper Joe Murphy could only parry Febian Brandy's effort.

He had also tested the keeper from distance earlier in the same move and came close to a second goal in stoppage time, only for the imperious Murphy to thwart him again.

The 20-year-old has started the last seven games for the Saddlers while Andy Taylor has been out injured.

And while he has been pleased with his overall performance, he admits there is work to be done on his defensive play.

"Of course I'm pleased with how things are going, but it's those little things that I need to work on," he said.

"Last night could have been a vital point come the end of the season and we didn't get it, so I will have to learn from that and put it right."

"Everyone does get beat here and there but I have to take it on the chin and learn from it."

"Against Peterborough last month the gaffer told me I needed to work on my defensive side and I felt I did in that game.

" I was more stable. But there are loads of parts of my game I need to work on and I will work on them and put them right."

Taylor continued his recovery yesterday by playing 45 minutes for Walsall's reserves in their 1-0 win over Morecambe.

Walsall's line-up also included Middlesbrough's youth team midfielder Ejiro Okosieme, who has begun a trial with the Saddlers.