Walsall boss Michael Flynn has hailed his team's hard work and commitment as they put a dent in near-rival Port Vale's hopes of achieving automatic promotion after securing a two-goal triumph.
Goals from Sam Perry, who had taken to the field to replace the injured Joss Labadie, and Emmanuel Osadebe were more than enough to see the Saddlers return to winning ways, doing the double over their opponents in the process.
Speaking to the assembled media, Flynn, who had seen his side arrive at the match on the back of a defeat to Crawley Town, said; "The work rate was superb.
"Even if we had lost that game, the way we worked and performed, it was pleasing to see.
"I've said before there are ways to win games, and when they put that commitment and effort in, we're a tough, tough team to beat."
Perry, who has struggled to secure regular first-team football over the course of the campaign combined with Osadebe for the opener before Osadebe doubled the Saddlers' lead in second-half stoppage time.
The Gaffer, who will soon be tasked with rebuilding the team ahead of the 2022/23 campaign, admitted he was pleased to see Perry open his account for the season, before going on to praise Osadebe for his season-best display.
Flynn continued; "I was over the moon for Sam as we could've put someone else on – changed it and tweaked it around – but we wanted to give him his chance in a big game.
"He did very well, and the run he made for the goal, he got across his man and it was a good finish.
"I don't mind saying that's the best I've seen Emmanuel play. I thought he was superb. There are still one or two little things I want to get out of him, but he was superb.
"He had discipline and energy, and he scored and assisted. I can't ask for much more."