Ben Purkiss sees the positives for Walsall

The full-back found himself on the losing side for the third time at the home of English football, having been part of the York City team's which lost a play-off final and an FA Trophy final.

And he admits the Saddlers must now quickly pick themselves up for the rest of the League One campaign.

He said: "Both of those (previous defeats) have been season-ending games. It has taken a couple of months (to get over).

"I think we have to take the positives out of the game against Bristol City. We played some decent stuff, there were some decent performances.

"Hopefully, people can learn from it and move forward. It is not something to dwell on but an experience.

"It is a relative achievement in the fact Walsall have never been here before."

Purkiss felt the Saddlers paid the price for a sluggish start which allowed Aden Flint to open the scoring for Bristol City after 15 minutes.

Mark Little's strike six minutes into the second half then gave Steve Cotterill's side an unassailable lead.

"We didn't start well," admitted Purkiss. "I think we turned over possession too easily and (Luke) Freeman gave us a problem in the hole.

"We conceded a poor goal from a corner and when you are against a good side and they take the lead that makes it an uphill struggle.

"After that I felt we got a foothold in the game and I think we had something to build on.

"But they got a scrappy goal right at the start of the second half and when you are 2-0 down it gives you a bit of a difficult task.

"The second was a poor goal to concede. I think we let the cross come in a little too easily and we didn't defend the ball.

"Rich (O'Donnell) has made a decent save and it has come straight back out to the kid (Little), who has bundled it home.

"When we got into good positions we didn't convert. That is probably why they are top of the league; they have goals all over the pitch."

Despite the experience of defeat, Purkiss admitted playing in front of a crowd of 72,315 was something to savour.

He said: "Some players get to experience it every week and take it for granted. I can't tell you how much I enjoy those occasions. I thought the pitch was fantastic, as you would expect.

"I always think occasions like that should bring out the best in you and unfortunately as a team we probably weren't good enough."

Saddlers goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell, meanwhile, admitted their opponents were simply a cut above.

He said: "We came up against a very good side, they are top of the league for a reason – that's what we've seen today.

"They're strong and have a great strength in depth within their squad. They were too much for us, to be honest.

O'Donnell added: "We're disappointed. It's hard looking up and watching them lift the trophy. It's not nice but like you say, I think the best team won on the day."

The 26-year-old said the 30,000 Walsall supporters in Wembley made it a day to remember, regardless of the result.

He said: "The supporters, personally, mean everything to me. The fans were great and we are all chuffed to bits that we got to Wembley in the end for them.

"We're disappointed that we couldn't bring anything home for them. They were different class and we hope we gave them a good day out."