Smith shrugs off speculation to mastermind rare defeat for Burton

The Saddlers had turned down a request from a Championship club to speak to Smith this week and he responded by masterminding a first defeat in six games for the Brewers.

Asked if there had been any disruption following the speculation, Smith said: "Did it look like it? If you have been at a club as long as me, there are ups and downs which you get at any football club, and speculation."

Walsall, unbeaten in six, took the lead in the 36th minute through teenager Liam Kinsella's first senior goal in his first league start of the season.

Burton fought back strongly in the second half but could not find a way through a solid Saddlers' defence in which James O'Connor was outstanding.

The Brewers had a great chance to equalise in the 88th minutes, but substitute Timmy Thiele's shot was blocked by Kinsella and when Yeovil defender Phil Edwards handled in stoppage time, Tom Bradshaw notched his ninth goal of the season from the penalty spot.

Smith added: "I thought we were excellent, in the first half especially, moved the really well and never looked under any threat and we kept another clean sheet as well.

"Kinsella didn't surprise me with his goal, he always finishes well in our under-21 games and he worked very hard too. He is a pleasure to work with."

Burton came back strongly in the second half and were unlucky when a header from Lucas Akins was deflected on to the crossbar by Sam Mantom on the goal-line.

Burton manager Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink said: "It was a match of fine margins.

"They were the better team in the first half and deserved to be one-up. We didn't play as well as we can and were losing second balls and going out of shape.

"But in the second half we were the better team, and it looked like there was only one team going to score. But we didn't.

"We had a chance to make it 1-1 but didn't take it. But I think the game was lost in the first half."