IT was a great result and we showed a big improvement on what happened last Tuesday against Chesterfield.
You can never relax against a side like Walsall who were fighting for their lives, but at 2-0 and 3-1 we obviously felt comfortable.
I felt we were worthy winners, even though we had to keep playing at our best for the full 90 minutes.
Everyone is delighted with the three points and especially so for all the fans who travelled down.
After last Tuesday it would have been easy for them to stay at home but they gave us brilliant backing.
All season away from home our fans have been awesome.
I'm sure they enjoyed the performance because it was a good one.
At times, I thought we played some really good stuff, top class at stages, and it was just what we needed.
It feels like we've got right back on track with a good away win and now we've got to take it forward into the Yeovil game.
I thought we defended very well, our play through midfield was good and the frontmen were on fire.
It was disappointing to concede a goal, but three points were the main thing and we've just got to see it through.
Peter Jackson is delighted to have topped last season's points total of 70 and believes his team have the bottle to go on and win promotion.
Town reached 72 points thanks to Saturday's win, which kept them in touch with the automatic places and strengthened their hold on a play-off berth.
"We've shown bags of character to bounce back from the Chesterfield result with a really good performance," said Jackson. "I've had people writing me nasty letters all week and critics moaning and groaning, but I hope they are prepared to write again and apologise after a performance like this.
"Last Tuesday was a big disappointment, but these players are a credit to our club and, when they play like they can, they are a good, entertaining side who can win matches and win promotion.
"There are very good players in our squad who are entertaining and give everything for the shirt.
"Everyone here was impressed with how we played and we are still in there fighting. We won't give it up."
Jackson employed a 4-1-3-2 formation with telling effect, Mark Hudson taking the anchor role in front of the defence.
"It allowed us to attack because I knew we needed to win the game - it wasn't a defensive option," he explained. "I thought Hudson was outstanding, Nathan Clarke and Martin McIntosh were excellent at the back and I thought our goals were well deserved for some good attacking play.
"It was all very pleasing and now we've got another must-win game against Yeovil."
Paul Rachubka A couple of free-kicks had him scrambling, but did all his work soundly in an often crowded six-yard box Rating: 7/10
David Mirfin Right-back cover for the injured Andy Holdsworth, he defended very solidly and was always willing to attack with purpose Rating: 8/10
Danny Adams Put in some decent crosses despite an uneven surface and used the ball well when in defensive situations Rating: 7/10
Martin McIntosh An excellent return for his first match in five. Won plenty of headers and his early block on Claridge was superb Rating: 8/10
Nathan Clarke Terrific contribution as Town resisted almost everything thrown at them. Unlucky to deflect in Leary's late shot Rating: 8/10
Danny Schofield Played well throughout and will be disappointed not to have scored when one-on-one with the keeper on 55 mins Rating: 7/10
Gary T-Fletcher Tremendous workrate and did a lot of valuable covering back. Attacked smartly down the right and linked really well Rating: 8/10
Mark Hudson Played just in front of the back four and provided an excellent insurance policy in Peter Jackson's 4-1-3-2 formation Rating: 9/10
Chris Brandon Played central midfield for the suspended Jon Worthington and had a couple of excellent shooting chances Rating: 7/10
Andy Booth Back in the side and deserved his 15th goal of the season. His work as a first line of defence was outstanding. Rating: 8/10
David Graham Scored a brilliant long range opener to give Town control and made many telling, unselfish runs to spark attacks Rating: 8/10
Walsall
Oakes; Pead, Fox, Gerrard, Westwood; Mills, Timm (James 31), Osborn (Leary 68), Keates; Constable, Claridge.
Subs not used: Roper, Wright, Gilmartin (Gkp).
While Andy Booth had headed into the side netting, Town had been pressing without creating a clear-cut chance until David Graham caught everyone by surprise with a cracking 25-yard shot to open the scoring on 25 minutes. He showed great technique, hitting a fierce drive with the minimum of backlift. Top-class.
Hampshire official Keith Stroud, the man who sent off Paul Rachubka in the 2-0 defeat at Brentford, had a decent game, but the bookings of Nathan Clarke and David Mirfin seemed harsh. He had no option but to send off Chris Westwood for a wild kick at Andy Booth, who was booked for pulling back the Walsall defender
Mark Hudson
Showed excellent discipline to anchor midfield from just in front of the back four. His defensive work allowed others to get forward at will and his distribution made him a vital pivot to the new-look system
