Brian Dutton proud of Walsall performance

Goals from John Marquis and Ellis Harrison put the League One side 2-0 up, after Elijah Adebayo missed a penalty to make it 1-1.

Caolan Lavery got a goal back with a penalty of his own and after the side pushed Kenny Jackett’s side close, Dutton says he is proud of the display.

“Yeah, we’re proud,” he said.

“That performance was chalk and cheese from the games at the beginning of the season, in terms of digging in and trying to get the win and giving the fans something to cheer about.

“I thought we pushed Portsmouth all the way there, even after going 2-0 down the lads didn’t lose belief.

“It just shows what a positive moment we’re in, in the season at the moment, to carry on going against a top team like Portsmouth.

“Full credit (to them).

“The gaffer has touched on it, the game in essence is in between both boxes.

“Defending your own and then taking your chances on the other end.

“I wouldn’t say we definitely should have won the game, but I’m sure if we broke down the opportunities it would be very close.

“If not, we would have just pipped them for quality of chances.”