Dean Smith hails Walsall's returning hero

Bradshaw's 86th minute winner in the 1-0 victory over Fleetwood moved the Saddlers four points above the relegation zone.

And Smith was delighted to see his star striker make such an impact on his latest return from recurring hamstring trouble.

Smith said: "He's back to fitness and didn't it show?

"He was excellent today. He's made the keeper work a number of times.

"We're not just a one-man team – but we are a better team when he's in the team, there's no doubt about that.

"He's a good player and that's why we signed him. His injuries have been frustrating for all of us but we're just glad that we've got him here.

"He's done the business in terms of goal return and workrate as well. He epitomises what we are on about in terms of how hard he works up there."

But Smith insisted Bradshaw's teammates were just as worthy of praise after a result that gives them daylight in the battle to avoid the drop.

He added: "It's not just about Tom Bradshaw because I thought we were excellent today against a very good team.

"I thought most of the team were excellent. I couldn't have picked too many players who weren't on the top of their games or close to it."