Strike partners Jamille Matt and Josh Gordon earned praise from Walsall manager Mat Sadler as the ruthless side beat Morecambe with a 3-0 League Two win.

The score did not tell the whole story with the Saddlers having to withstand plenty of pressure to move to within three points of the play-off places – despite remaining in 16th place.

Sadler said: “I thought Jamille and Josh up front were awesome and they beat them up. That was how I saw the game.

“I think by the 60 to 75-minute mark, they wanted no more of what they were offering and that was top centre-forward work from those guys, they brought everyone else into the game.

“Jamille and Josh did so much work off the ball. That is what’s brilliant about having those two working together because they understand the game.

“It was a brilliant performance from front to back and we have got a bit of momentum.

“I faced Jamille on numerous occasions as a player so I know what he is like and it wasn’t very pleasant. He is so strong and mobile.”

Walsall almost led when Isaac Hutchinson’s rising drive had to be tipped over by Archie Mair at the near post and the deadlock was broken from the corner that followed.

Hutchinson showing clever footwork before finding Ross Tierney to thump the ball low into the bottom corner in the 13th minute.

It was 2-0 when Matt’s colossal leap flicked Gordon into space in the right of the box to cut back from a tight spot for Matt to force inside the far post in the 26th minute.

Morecambe built more pressure early in the second half but the game was up when substitute Jack Earing found Matt to nudge the ball against the post, with on-loan Norwich defender Emmanuel Adegboyega slamming home the rebound in the 66th minute.

Sadler was pleased with the clean sheet, adding: “Clearly the squad is stretched and we had a back three which hadn’t played together all season but I thought they were brilliant from start to finish.

“Most importantly, that desire to want to keep a clean sheet was evident throughout.”

Opposite number Ged Brannan argued Morecambe had been the better side but also architects of their own downfall.

“We played some good football but we can’t concede two goals like we did in the first half,” he said.

“We dominated play without really hurting them, then we got two crosses in like that and we didn’t pick up. It is hard to swallow.

“We’re a good team. We were better than Walsall tonight, they sat in and counterattacked us and could afford to do that being two goals up.

“We believed in ourselves and tried to get a goal but it didn’t fall for us.”

Johnnie Jackson admits AFC Wimbledon are struggling to adapt to life without “talisman” Ali Al-Hamadi as they slipped to a 1-0 home defeat to Crawley.

Striker Al-Hamadi joined Ipswich last month and the Dons missed his killer instinct as they dominated for long periods against Crawley but passed up several chances.

The likes of Josh Davison and deadline-day signing Josh Kelly both had opportunities, with the former seeing what looked a simple tap-in kept out by a superb save from Crawley goalkeeper Corey Addai.

The hosts’ wastefulness was punished with 12 minutes to go as Danilo Orsi finished following a long throw, his 15th league goal of the season.

“Ali’s not here, I can’t keep talking about Ali,” said Jackson, whose side missed the chance to move into the top seven.

“For me, he was the best player in the league and we’ve lost him, so that doesn’t help. When you lose your talisman, it makes things more difficult.

“The group brought in a good player who’s doing really well for the team, just hasn’t scored yet, so people are obviously going to highlight that.”

Filling the void left by Al-Hamadi was always going to be a tough task, but Jackson knows he has another problems too.

The Dons suffered yet another defensive injury against Crawley, with Crystal Palace loanee Kofi Balmer forced off with a hamstring issue.

Jackson added: “Obviously, there’s a number of things that aren’t going great for us at the minute with the injuries, losing our two centre-halves, another one tonight.

“Our captain’s been out for a long time, so it’s not been easy in that regard.

“But we need to be better, everyone needs to be better, all of us, if we’re going to get where we want to get to.”

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey saw his side move two points off the play-off places, although there are nine teams within just three points of Harrogate in seventh.

Lindsey said: “We’ve just got to make sure that we focus on ourselves.

“We feel that last play-off spot, no one’s really taken charge of it. Everyone’s messing around with it and we’re going to really focus and try and take it.

“We know there’s a long way to go, but we’re going to really focus on that.”

MK Dons were denied a “clear goal” in their 1-1 draw against fellow League Two promotion contenders Wrexham, according to head coach Mike Williamson.

The most controversial moment of a fiery contest came after an hour when Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo appeared to fumble Joe Tomlinson’s shot over the line, with Dons captain Dean Lewington being sent off for his protests.

Williamson said: “I don’t know where to start with that, I don’t think I’ve ever seen anything like it.

“The fact that he was so close to the post indicated to everybody in the stadium that it’s a clear goal.

“The reaction of their team was to turn around, they all thought it was (a goal) and I think everybody did apart from the officials.

“I’m taken aback, and I’m really gutted for the boys because they did exactly what we asked them to do, they carried out everything very well and they deserved that.”

On Lewington’s red card, he added: “He had the same reaction as all of us, I think.

“I was so taken aback I probably could have said many things to the officials, which you’ve got to bite your tongue about, but we’ve got to dust ourselves off, pick the bones out and take a lot of positives.”

Wrexham, who are now one point clear of fourth-placed Crewe, went ahead after 22 minutes when Luke Young’s corner was headed in at the near post by James McClean.

It took just four minutes for MK Dons to equalise when Jack Payne played the ball through for Dan Kemp, who finished emphatically past Okonkwo.

The Arsenal loanee had pulled off a stunning save from Tomlinson’s 30-yard piledriver before the incident that led to Lewington’s red, while Will Boyle’s second yellow ensured both sides finished with 10 men.

Wrexham boss Phil Parkinson said on the ‘ghost goal’: “I can’t see from where I was and it was not conclusive whether it’s crossed the line, or not.

“If the referee or the linesman is not sure, then they can’t give it. It was some game of football. I thought it was two good sides again.

“I was pleased with the early exchanges. We knew how they play, putting the ball at risk in their own third.

“Our pressing game was good, we got the goal, we looked really confident that we could go and score again but their goal, like goals do, gave them a lift, then Arthur’s had to make some good saves.

“In the second half we played really well. Then 11 v 10, we looked like we were going to score.

“Boyley’s sending-off has evened the game up numerically, which is a shame. It could have then gone either way.”

Conviction in both boxes fired 16th-placed Walsall to within three points of the League Two play-offs following a comprehensive 3-0 win over Morecambe.

Ross Tierney got the ball rolling with Jamille Matt and on-loan Norwich defender Emmanuel Adegboyega both notching for the second time in four days.

The visitors had plenty of play but created little with the likes of Adegboyega and Liam Gordon commanding when charging down shots.

Isaac Hutchinson had a fierce rising drive swatted over by Archie Mair but the Saddlers midfielder turned provider from the corner that followed, finding Tierney to thump low into the bottom corner in the 13th minute.

Matt’s colossal leap flicked Josh Gordon into space in the right of the box and he rode a couple of nibbles to cut the ball back from a tight spot for Matt to force inside the far post, 26 minutes in.

Hutchinson might have made it three on the stroke of half-time as he fired wide of the near post via a deflection.

But, while Morecambe built pressure early in the second half, the game was up when substitute Jack Earing found Matt to nudge against the post with Adegboyega slamming home the rebound in the 66th minute to seal maximum points.

League Two leaders Stockport were held to a cagey 0-0 draw at Gillingham.

The Gills made a bright start and almost took a fortuitous lead after just three minutes when Lewis Cass’ attempted clearance rebounded off Remeao Hutton and flew over the crossbar.

Stockport gradually grew into the contest and Antoni Sarcevic’s drilled a free-kick from the right flank almost caught Jake Turner off his line but the effort clattered off a post.

County continued to threaten before half time and Myles Hippolyte tested Turner with a rising 20-yard shot that the Gillingham goalkeeper tipped behind.

There were few chances early in the second half until Gillingham forced an opening as Jonny Williams’ header released Ashley Neasden in the area, but the forward fired over the crossbar from 10 yards.

Stockport almost netted a late winner as Neil Byrne controlled the ball in the area and teed up Paddy Madden, whose shot was blocked by Shadrach Ogie.

Both sides pressed for a winner late on but neither could find the breakthrough.

Dan Kemp’s thumping finish earned MK Dons a 1-1 draw against fellow League Two promotion contenders Wrexham in a fiery contest that saw both teams reduced to 10 men.

A dramatic match at Stadium MK saw Dons captain Dean Lewington sent off for foul and abusive language and Red Dragons defender Will Boyle for two bookings, as the visitors moved one point clear of fourth-placed Crewe.

Wrexham were the first to settle and went ahead after 22 minutes when James McClean attacked Luke Young’s corner at the near post to head past Michael Kelly.

It took MK Dons just four minutes to equalise, however, when Jack Payne helped the ball through for Kemp, who finished emphatically.

Wrexham goalkeeper Arthur Okonkwo ensured the game remained level, first tipping away Alex Gilbey’s curling effort before producing a brilliant fingertip save to keep out Joe Tomlinson’s 30-yard piledriver.

Okonkwo appeared to fumble Tomlinson’s shot over the line just before the hour, with Lewington sent off for taking his protests too far before Boyle saw red for Wrexham with 13 minutes left.

Danilo Orsi kept up his fine scoring form to net the decisive goal as Crawley won 1-0 at AFC Wimbledon.

Orsi’s 15th league goal of the season secured three points for the visitors as Wimbledon were left to rue missed chances.

The victory moved Crawley to within two points of the League Two play-off places.

After early dominance, the Dons were incensed they were not awarded a penalty after Omar Bugiel was wrestled to the floor by Jay Williams in the area.

Wimbledon continued to search for an opener, but as half-time drew closer it was the visitors who threatened, with Liam Kelly’s whipped corner striking the crossbar.

Crawley goalkeeper Corey Addai pulled off a superb save on the hour mark to deny Josh Davison, who looked to have a tap-in at the back post.

And, having withstood pressure for much of the contest, Will Wright’s long throw in the 78th minute fell into the path of Orsi, who tapped home to snatch the points.

AFC Wimbledon boss Johnnie Jackson felt his side let Morecambe “off the hook” in their 1-1 draw at Plough Lane.

The Dons took the lead early in the second half through Omar Bugiel but Chris Stokes’ 74th-minute leveller earned a share of the spoils.

Both sides remain a point outside the play-off places in League Two, with Wimbledon in eighth and Morecambe 10th.

Jackson said: “I’ve seen enough of Morecambe to know that they can get results at places.

“They’re no mugs, they’re a tough opposition. To dominate like we did for the majority, I’m really pleased.

“We let them off the hook a little after we scored the goal, the game was there for the taking and we didn’t get that second, but that’s football.”

Wimbledon dominated the first half but the best opportunity fell to marauding Morecambe defender David Tutonda, who blazed Joel Senior’s low cross over the bar.

The Dons came out firing in the second half and their pressure told in the 50th minute when Bugiel fired home from close range after Josh Kelly flicked on Ronan Curtis’ cross.

Bugiel soon spurned a golden chance to double the lead and was left to rue the missed opportunity when Stokes poked home the visitors’ equaliser with 16 minutes remaining to steal a point.

“It was a good chance for Omar [Bugiel],” Jackson added. “I haven’t seen it again but it felt like he could’ve taken it the first time – that was my initial thought.

“If we got that second, the game would have been beyond them.

“When they survived that, it seemed to give them that bit of confidence. They got their goal out of nothing and that’s football.

“We’re still right in the mix, we’ve given ourselves a great chance with 14 games to go.

“As frustrated as we are at only getting a point, we’ve climbed two places in the league.”

Morecambe boss Ged Brannan heaped praise on his side’s resilient character despite his camp being struck by illness.

He said: “It was a great point in the end. I’m not making excuses but we had an illness right through the camp today and we were well off because of it.

“I thought the lads showed great character to get away with a point, we could’ve even sneaked it at the end as well.

“Obviously it wasn’t our best performance, but I am so delighted in the way the lads dug in together.

“We’ve got such a strong squad and the goals are spreading right through the team, which I don’t mind at all.

“If you get a point away from home in this league, it is really good – it keeps you up there with the rest of them.”

Fuming Mansfield boss Nigel Clough says goal-line technology must be introduced into the English Football League after his Stags missed the chance to go top of Sky Bet League Two by losing 2-1 at Walsall.

Mansfield were convinced Aden Flint’s first-half effort crossed the line but the goal was not given – and Clough’s men lost out in a roller coaster second half.

They should have been out of sight – but Will Swan spurned three golden chances.

However, it was the Flint controversy that irked Clough, who said: “We should have goal-line technology at this level. I thought the assistant was probably unsighted with a defender in the way.

“But this is what everyone is fighting for because the Premier League want to keep 85% of the TV money instead of 75-25%, which would mean we could then get that sort of thing introduced.

“I would have thought with the money in football they could provide watches for the officials so when the ball goes over the line everyone knows.”

Clough admitted, however, his side should have made their chances count, following up Tuesday’s club-record 9-2 win over Harrogate with a profligate display in front of goal.

“Certainly those six chances we missed in the first half were as big as anything,” he added.

“I would argue we created better chances in the first half than on Tuesday but didn’t take any of them.

“The performance was fine, just the crucial things of putting the ball in the back of the net and keeping it out at the other end.”

Mansfield remain a point behind leaders Stockport after Isaac Hutchinson deliveries set up headers for Jamille Matt and Football League debutant Emmanuel Adegboyega, who is on loan from Norwich.

Stephen Quinn briefly pulled the Stags level after Matt’s opener, but Walsall earned a first league win since New Year’s Day.

“We got that little bit of luck at the right moments, which I think we earned in the end,” said boss Mat Sadler, whose side remain 16th, but have beaten all of the division’s top four at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.

“I thought for the first 20-25 minutes of the second half, we were very, very good, really high-energy, really front-footed and it turned into a really good game for the fans to watch.

“I feel really proud of the lads – most importantly, the hard work they put in. We’ve given everything for the shirt and that’s what this group does. Now we have to back it up.

“I think we are the only team in the division to do that this season [beat the top four].

“We’re a good team but a young team, and results like tonight only adds another yardstick on to where we want to get to and where we want to be.”

Simon Weaver said his Harrogate players came through a “test of their nerve” after they bounced back from a chastening midweek defeat by holding promotion-chasing Crewe.

Weaver demonstrated his faith in his players by naming an unchanged side after Tuesday night’s 9-2 thumping at Mansfield.

And they responded with a determined showing which nullified Crewe in the first half.

Then, when the home side stepped up the pressure after the break, goalkeeper James Belshaw performed heroics to ensure a clean sheet.

“It was about getting back on the horse and proving that we are a gritty team,” said Weaver. “At Crewe they don’t come much tougher but everyone can be proud of themselves as they defended well and put in a great performance.

“It was a test of our nerve on the back of the other night. We needed to show we are a side full of character and show the resilience that we have, that we’re not knocked off our stride easily. We were a lot more compact and did everything together and made it hard work for Crewe.

“It was a freaky game at Mansfield and we got punished for everything we didn’t do well. But it was on the back of a run that perhaps we thought we might be a bit invincible at times.

“We didn’t get away with anything but it was a harsh lesson that has made us stronger.

“We’ve moved on and possibly benefited from it. James Belshaw didn’t have a chance the other night, but that was a world class save he made near the end.

“I thought we deserved a point and it was an important point when you look at Crewe’s form and where they are in the table.”

While they were disciplined and organised, Harrogate rarely threatened, although Matt Daly dragged an effort wide for the visitors he could have done more with.

Courtney Baker-Richardson went close with two thumping headers, the second one crashing against the bar before Belshaw thwarted Shilow Tracey and kept out a late blast from Charlie Kirk.

Crewe boss Lee Bell’s frustrations at the final whistle earned him a red card from referee David Rock, although afterwards he highlighted a positive week which has also seen wins against Crawley and Stockport.

“I thought we were excellent in the second half and pushed them all the way,” said Bell.

“Harrogate will be getting congratulated for throwing their bodies on the line with a couple of clear-cut chances but I was delighted with our second-half performance. I wasn’t pleased with the first half, but we adjusted and made a couple of changes.

“We tried to get more impetus in the game and I was pleased with the impact of our subs. Harrogate did their defending well but it has been a good week for us and a good three games. It is not always going to be 3-2s and 4-3s.”

On his dismissal, Bell said: “I didn’t really say anything, the minimum I have said back was deemed as confronting the referee on the pitch. But I’ve seen managers fighting down that tunnel and not get booked.

“I didn’t swear at him and then to get a red card is really perplexing. I’ll try and speak to the assessors because I didn’t think I was aggressive, although I was obviously frustrated.”

Crawley boss Scott Lindsey revealed he used a video clip of Southampton manager Russell Martin to help inspire his players ahead of their 2-0 home victory over Forest Green Rovers.

In the footage, Martin spoke of the importance of trying to be the most hard working of teams, and Lindsey used it to help get a similar message across as the Red Devils pulled off their first league win in five games.

A first-half goal from leading scorer Danilo Orsi put the hosts on their way and substitute Klaidi Lolos made the points safe with another close-range finish three minutes from time.

“We were good for the money today,” Lindsey said.

“I thought Russell Martin made some really good points about running hard without the ball as well as with the ball. I thought the players took it on brilliantly.

“Both our goals came from the left side, which we had targeted, and our running stats were through the roof after having a game in midweek.”

Lindsey confessed he had felt the pressure during the match due to wanting to return to winning ways, and this prompted him to celebrate in front of the fans on the south terrace afterwards.

He said: “I felt quite anxious and I apologised to the players because I don’t want any of that going on to them.

“Our fans have been brilliant in our last few games when we haven’t been winning and it was very important to get this win as it keeps us alive and kicking.”

Forest Green manager Steve Cotterill believes tiredness played a big factor as his side suffered their third defeat in five games since he took over just over three weeks ago.

Rovers lost 4-0 at home to Mansfield before ending a 15-game winless run with a 2-1 victory at Barrow in midweek, and Cotterill said: “There was fatigue in us today and it impacted our performance.

“Having three games in a week took its toll and it was a long game.”

Rovers remain six points from safety, and Cotterill said: “I’ve been encouraged by what I’ve seen against decent opposition and we are no worse off in the table than we were before the start of this game.

“But you can’t win matches if you don’t play sharp and this is something I’ll have to do something about.

“(Christian) Doidge should have scored with a header right at the end but the keeper made a fantastic save.”

Grant McCann lauded his Doncaster side for their outstanding second-half display in a resounding 5-1 demolition of Grimsby at Blundell Park.

Goals from Luke Molyneux and Joe Ironside put Doncaster in control before an own goal from Niall Maher and strikes from Matthew Craig and Kyle Hurst rubber-stamped victory.

Grimsby captain Danny Rose was on target from the penalty spot.

Defeat leaves David Artell’s team six points above the relegation zone, while their victorious neighbours – Doncaster – eased their own fears against the drop with a second win in three Sky Bet League Two games to move 13 points clear of the bottom two.

McCann said: “We started really well and scored two good goals.

“But then for whatever reason we stopped doing what got us into those positions.

“We didn’t win enough duels and second balls and the group knew that.

“At half-time I had to give them a gentle reminder because, for a spell, they got on top of us and couldn’t get in the game.

“We gave the ball back to them. We made it easy for them.

“We had to reset at half-time and I said to the players they’re a good team, get on the ball and play, be positive.

“When you’re playing in a derby game, away from home and with a full house, you have to start well. We made the boys aware of that.

“We did it well both halves and that’s what’s won us the game.”

Doncaster enjoyed a perfect start and found themselves 2-0 up with eight minutes on the clock when Molyneux curled into the top corner before Ironside pounced inside the Grimsby area after combining with Hakeeb Adelakun.

Grimsby were handed a lifeline in the 19th minute when Molyneux fouled Charles Vernam and Rose sent the resulting penalty kick straight down the middle.

Doncaster restored their two-goal cushion in the 51st minute as Maher turned into his own net from a Jamie Sterry cross, while Craig added gloss to the scoreline with a tidy left-footed finish in the 72nd minute.

And there was still time for Kyle to mark his cameo with a fifth.

Artell was left to rue his side’s poor start.

“They scored a very good first goal and that happens,” he said. “We then conceded a quick goal which knocked us.

“Then for the rest of that first half we were comfortably the better side. Even their staff said the same thing.

“We got a goal and should have been 3-2 in front.

“You got in 2-1 and we are still in the game. Really in it.

“And that’s the first half. We go out and concede again after six minutes and that knocked the stuffing out of us.

“It’s not the first time that’s happened.

“We have to understand that teams are trying to knock the stuffing out of us. It doesn’t have to be fatal.

“That’s football and that’s life. People will try and knock you down. The question is, do you get back up?

“Some of our lads found that difficult after the third goal.”

MK Dons manager Mike Williamson said his side made it hard for themselves despite a 2-1 victory at Swindon which helped lift them up to fifth place in the table.

Stephen Wearne marked his full league debut with two goals in the space of the first eight minutes and the Dons held that lead until Charlie Austin’s 89th-minute strike threatened a late comeback.

Williamson said: “It was a fantastic start, but it also changes the dynamics of the game and allows the opposition to have a little bit of freedom to go forward because they need to get back in the game.

“I think what we can take from the game is that some of our offensive play was very good.

“And our last-ditch defending was excellent – you can see the spirit and every player on the pitch threw their body in front of the ball.

“But there were big parts of the game I think we’re quite far off and we made it hard for ourselves, and obviously it turns into chaotic in the last few minutes.

“I’m incredibly proud of the boys and the fact that we’ve got good players won that game today.”

Wearne opened the scoring with just four minutes on the clock after some calamitous Swindon defending.

Goalkeeper Jack Bycroft and Conor McCarthy left the ball for each other, allowing Kyran Lofthouse to nip in and tee up Wearne for a simple finish.

It was 2-0 four minutes later as Wearne swept home at the far post following a brilliant centre across the six-yard box.

The Dons pushed for a third goal and Daniel Kemp forced a good save out of Bycroft nine minutes into the second half with a stinging 25-yard shot.

Charlie Austin finished emphatically with one minute remaining to give Swindon hope of a late comeback, but the visitors were able to see out the win.

Interim Swindon manager Gavin Gunning said: WAfter eight minutes, your whole gameplan went out the window which is the worst part of it.

“The keeper should have come and the centre-half should clear it one is so it’s unfortunate.

“Then the second one was a lapse in concentration at the back stick, switching off, watching them score.

“You do the prep, you get videos and you say this is what we’re trying to do, but we were 2-0 down before we know it and you have to adapt and be more compact.

“They are a possession-based team you’re always going to struggle if you go 2-0 down.

“It was an average performance, a completely different level of performance than what we’ve been showing the last four games. It is frustrating and the two early goals obviously kill you.”

Bradford manager Graham Alexander admits his side were made to work hard to beat rock-bottom Sutton but felt they fully deserved the three points.

Calum Kavanagh’s second-half strike proved enough for League Two play-off hopefuls Braford to claim a third successive win in testing conditions at Valley Parade.

Alexander said: “It was a difficult match against a difficult opponent. We’ve seen that from a couple of their previous results.

“Wrexham were made to work exceptionally hard to win against them during the week and we’ve had to do the same again today.

“We deserved to win 100 per cent. We had the better opportunities and should have scored in the first half and we defended the pressure they put on extremely well.”

Bradford’s clean sheet was their fifth in a row in all competitions as they prepare for their Bristol Street Motors Trophy semi-final against Wycombe in midweek.

Alexander added: “We’ve got to give ourselves a base where we’re not chasing. That’s what we’ve been guilty of, certainly at Valley Parade.

“We’ve gone all at it right from minute one and the opposition has got a goal early, piling more pressure on us and making it even more difficult for us to get going as an attacking force.

“Having a bit more control over ourselves in the first 15-20 minutes has helped us settle into a game and not given the opposition anything to build from.

“We know we have players that have those quality moments to score.”

Andy Cook had missed two good chances for Bradford before Kavanagh’s confident finish broke the deadlock in the 54th minute after being played clear by Clarke Oduor.

Bradford keeper Sam Walker played his part in the win with saves from Harry Smith and substitute Olly Sanderson, leaving Sutton manager Steve Morison still looking for his first win after nine games in charge.

Morison said: “I’m really frustrated. I thought our attitude and application were spot on but they put the ball in the back of the net and we didn’t.

“We played some good stuff, created some good chances but the keeper has made a couple of good saves. That was the difference.

“The only plus point we take out of it was that Grimsby lost 5-1 and nothing’s really changed. We’re still trying to catch them and that’s what we’re focused on.

“We tried to get the win but it wasn’t meant to be. We did everything we could, we worked hard, prepared as best we could but they got the moment on the counter and took it.

“The first half was pretty even and then we conceded the goal off the back of us having one cleared off the line.

“We should have been leading but we were losing. The players are still scrapping and fighting for the football club and each other.”

Pete Wild has called for togetherness after his Barrow side fell to a third defeat in a row with a 5-3 loss at Salford.

The promotion-chasing Bluebirds let a lead slip as the Ammies edged an entertaining eight-goal thriller.

“There’s loads of positives out of today,” said Wild, whose side are without a win in five away games.

“When you score three away from home – and probably should score six – and you don’t win, you’re frustrated.

“We’ve got to be better than that but when I look back at the game in the next couple days, I think I’ll see some real positives and that’s what I’ll dwell on.

“It’s a 46-game season; you’ll go through periods when you look solid and then you don’t, and unfortunately that’s us at the moment.

“We’re all trying ever so hard and you can’t fault their effort. We must make sure we don’t catastrophise the situation or start pointing fingers.

“You don’t become a bad team overnight and it’s been our first bad week of the season.

“There’s 13 games to go and the lads have been brilliant, and I’ve just got to make sure they continue to grind into the next two months.”

Callum Hendry handed the hosts an early lead with an impressive strike from range, but their advantage proved short-lived.

Barrow completed a quickfire turnaround with goals from Cole Stockton and Tyrell Warren either side of the interval.

A high-octane second half ensued with Salford regaining their lead thanks to a Conor McAleny leveller and Hendry’s second strike of the afternoon.

Matt Smith added a late double to clinch the home side’s victory.

Stockton completed his brace to add Barrow a mere consolation.

The result means Salford extend their unbeaten start to life under Karl Robinson to eight matches.

“Scoring goals and asking questions, it’s what we’re about,” said the Ammies boss.

“People will forget how big of a result that is; Barrow are a team who should go into the top four and for large parts, we’ve looked the better team.

“For me, that’s a tremendous testament to the players, how hard they work and how much they really want it.

“For as long as I’ve been doing this and watching football, the hardest-working teams generally win most matches and then your talent will overrun your opposition.

“At this football club, nobody is any bigger than anybody else; we all have a mutual responsibility for why the club is where it’s at.

“I now share that responsibility and no one person can make the difference; we need a stern and steely mindset together otherwise it’s pointless.

“We’re open, we’re aggressive, we’re creating an identity and every single day we’re becoming better and better together.”