Analysis of Brentford 1 Walsall 0

Not to put too fine a point on it, it's play-offs or bust for Walsall now. The Johnstone's Paint Trophy, the Carling Cup and now the FA Cup make a hat-trick of domestic disappointments this season.

Saturday's lifeless performance at Brentford was the latest in a long line of Cup setbacks. Only once have they got past the third round since being relegated from the Championship in 2004.

The old 'concentrating on the league' adage has become a comfort blanket for too many seasons, it's the reliable excuse when cup dreams disappear. It was a wholly unremarkable performance which saw the Saddlers lose their five-game unbeaten run.

But, while the wait to reach Wembley, continues they are still in the play-off hunt. Saturday's game must be taken as a barometer for League One. Brentford are 16th and should never trouble the promotion chasers – something Walsall purport to be.

They were nothing special, the Saddlers merely made them look superior. If they are to reach the heights of the top six, teams like the Bees must be dispatched with minimum fuss.

League One is an poor division with a host of shoddy sides battling it out for mid-table safety, while a select few actually have a chance of promotion. Leeds, Charlton, Colchester and Norwich show no signs of relinquishing their current grip on the top four, leaving two spots up for grabs.

The Saddlers are two points off that coveted sixth place, but whether they have the staying power for a concerted push is still debatable. The squad is so thin even a mini injury crisis would stretch its boundaries, while their inability to kill teams off when on top is a major worry.

Work ethic is interspersed with moments of quality, although the class necessary to make the play-offs needs to happen on a more regular basis.

The decision not to strengthen with a loan or two is understandable, keeping the power dry – if there is indeed any – until January allows room for manoeuvre, especially if they're still in the promotion hunt.

Starting at Yeovil tomorrow, the Saddlers have a crucial month in which to muddle through with what they have – and don't forget Clayton McDonald returns to Manchester City in two weeks.

Say what you want about every team playing the same amount of games come May, December is crucial for Walsall, trips to Millwall and Bristol Rovers testify to that. Emerge unscathed with the unbeaten league run intact and it would give the Saddlers serious play-off credentials.

Hutchings stated last week he didn't feel his team's performances differed from their early season displays, they were just finally benefitting from some luck. But now they must go a notch higher. The levels must be raised to ensure the season doesn't end in mid-February amid mass apathy.

Attendances are barely passing for presentable, even as the club strive for success and a cup run would have boosted the morale. It all meant the nature of this defeat was difficult to take as the Saddlers went down without a fight.

Only in the final 15 minutes, when the realisation kicked in they were about to be dumped out, did they suddenly raise their game.

This was a team who had gone five games unbeaten and had only lost three of their last 16 outings, but the Saddlers were already second best when Leon Legge headed the hosts into an early lead.

It was too easy for the Bees who must have been wondering why their visitors hadn't learned from their last trip to Griffin Park, seven days previously. Walsall were continually stretched at the back while punchless upfront.

Steve Jones had to head Ryan Dickson's effort off the line as Brentford went for the kill.

Mark Bradley had a token effort easily saved by Lewis Price and there was little evidence the visitors would haul themselves back. Those hoping half-time would herald a turnaround were left wanting as Brentford continued to dominate and Ben Strevens was twice denied by Clayton Ince.

The quiet Troy Deeney finally forced an opening but his strike was deflected wide by Alan Bennett, as the Saddlers finally woke up. They began to force the play but were unable to find the killer touch.

Deeney saw Legge block his shot before Danny Foster was lucky to survive a huge penalty shout for handball.

Sam Parkin forced Price into a smart stop when the goalkeeper palmed his far post strike behind, but the fact it had taken the Saddlers 82 minutes to conjure such a chance spoke volumes.

Now it's all on the league and there can be little room for error.

By Nick Mashiter