Jon Whitney: Walsall deserved the win
Boss Jon Whitney felt his side were deserving of all three points despite admitting Walsall weren't at their best in the 3-2 victory over Shrewsbury.
Erhun Oztumer dramatically conjured up a late winner to ensure the Saddlers extended their hoodoo over their West Midlands rivals – with Salop having won just one league meeting between the sides in 23 years.
Goals from Amadou Bakayoko and Kieron Morris either side of an Olly Lancashire header saw Jon Whitney's side go in 2-1 up at the break.
Junior Brown then equalised for the home side with Oztumer then grabbing an 87th minute winner when he scored direct from a corner.
"I thought we deserved the win," Whitney said.
"It was a proper derby. There wasn't that much quality. The only threat to us was ourselves when we perhaps had too many touches and we didn't shift it quickly enough.
"For five to 10 minutes we didn't pass it well enough or quick enough but then we clicked a little bit, pressed a little bit higher and I thought we created quite a few opportunities.
"I've just spoken to the lads and said sometimes it's not about winning comfortably and playing great football – sometimes you just have to win a little bit ugly and do the basics better than them and I thought we did that
"I'm disappointed with their goals and we will look at that. We will put that right on the training pitch.
"But I'm pleased. It's three wins now on the bounce and one defeat in seven. Suddenly it builds more momentum and confidence going into Tuesday night on the back of that."
The game saw both sides reduced to 10-men with ex-Saddler Ryan McGivern and Bakayoko both getting their marching for picking up two yellow cards.
Bakayoko's second booking was for over celebrating Walsall's late winner – with the young striker jumping into the crowd to be with fans.
And Whitney feels sometimes referee's should show restraint in those moments.
"I think Ama jumped into the crowd," the boss continued.
"It's a mistake and a bit of naivety from Ama. I'm sure in hindsight if he could go back he wouldn't do it.
"But it was the emotion of the goal. It's a bit harsh because you want to celebrate goals but they are the rules.
"I thought their red card was harsh on Ryan as well. Referees in my day would have said 'be careful, next time I'll send you off'. Because it can ruin the game but these are the rules the refs have to follow and they are being assessed. It's very difficult but I thought the referee today was a bit card-happy."
