Matt Preston: Walsall goal like Wembley

Walsall hero Matt Preston described his late winner against Colchester as like securing victory at Wembley.

The 21-year-old was the Saddlers' man of the moment as they secured a dramatic comeback victory against Kevin Keen's U's on Saturday.

As well as setting up Tom Bradshaw's 89th-minute equaliser, the defender fired home in the fourth minute of stoppage time to ensure his side.

Walsall subsequently won at home for the first time in 2016 and boosted their automatic promotion hopes.

Preston only entered the fray after James O'Connor was forced off through injury in the first half, but the defender was delighted with his contribution and the points for his team.

He said: "When I came on, I definitely didn't think I would walk off the pitch with a goal and an assist," the defender said.

"The result felt like we had won at Wembley. It was a great feeling.

"It was a slow game and we didn't play as well as we would have liked to.

"But the important thing was to win. We have got every chance to finish the season in the top two.

"We all believe in the camp we can do it so we just have to keep going."

Boss Jon Whitney praised the in-game management of his players after it was revealed Paul Downing, Jason Demetriou and Romaine Sawyers encouraged Preston to play as a centre-forward in the closing minutes.

Preston continued: "It was Romaine, PD and Jason that told me to go up front. We didn't seem like we were getting very far and we wanted to do something different.

"I think most teams would have felt it wasn't going to be their day, but this team keeps going and that belief is what won us the game."

Preston was also full of praise for interim boss Whitney, who has now won three games out of three since being placed in charge.

He added: "We have gone back to what we are used to doing – playing football. Whits is very good at what he does and he has faith in all the players."