GARY Bowyer was delighted how City dug out the win at Walsall to move into the top seven.

James Vaughan claimed the only goal, although it appeared to be headed straight in by home midfielder Liam Kinsella.

Vaughan had earlier seen a first-half goal ruled out for a push on the goalkeeper. He also hit the post and then fired a penalty over the bar.

“I’ve got to admire our spirit and desire to keep going to the end,” said Bowyer.

“It wasn’t a classic game by any stretch of the imagination.

“But we just keep going and going, even after the disappointment of having a perfectly good goal disallowed in the first half and then missing the penalty.

"It wasn't the first penalty missed and it won't be the last. But I was delighted then with our response.

"It got the crowd going but we stuck at it. The players know they can play better but they've developed this ability to win games.

“This result goes a long way to giving extra belief in the group.”