Ling admits Swindon outplayed as Walsall suffer first away league loss

Louis Thompson's 90th-minute strike handed Swindon back-to-back home victories - both by the same 2-1 margin - for the first time since February.

Tom Bradshaw had cancelled out Jon Obika's early opener for the hosts, but Ling conceded that his team were second best over 90 minutes at the County Ground.

Walsall dominated possession and territory but Dean Smith's men were denied on several occasions by goalkeeper Lawrence Vigouroux and eventually succumbed to only their third league loss of the campaign.

The win maintained Ling's 100 per cent home record in charge of the Robins but he was humble in victory.

"Today we had a bit of a footballing lesson from a very good Walsall team on the ball," he said.

"It was frustrating. I don't think we played very well. It was backs against the wall against a good Walsall side. I'll give my players credit for sticking at it. They battled and we probably scored on our only two attacks. It wasn't perfect, but it was the perfect result.

"Jon stuck his goal away well and so did Louis, but it was on the breakaway. We were chasing the ball most of the night.

"They'll be very disappointed to go away with nothing because they were the better side, they had us under pressure and they were always asking us questions."

Match-winner Thompson picked up an injury late on and was about to be substituted prior to fizzing home his late goal.

"Sometimes it's better to be a lucky manager than a good one. Anton Rodgers was about to come on," said Ling.

"His energy is important for us. You know what you're going to get with Louis and I thought he was outstanding tonight."

Walsall boss Smith was furious with the officiating after Bradshaw was denied a first-half penalty and Jordan Cook's second-half effort was ruled out for offside.

"I feel like I should be on the phone to call the police and get someone arrested for this result," he said.

"We had a stonewall penalty turned down in the first half, Jordan Cook scored his first goal of the season and was a yard onside but gets flagged and we make a mistake for their second goal.

"I thought there was only going to be one winner and I would have been disappointed with a point. We were excellent and dominated a team who normally dominate other teams. We weren't clinical in the first half."