Jon Whitney on Bradford defeat: I can't fault Walsall players

In a game of few clear-cut chances, a second-half Billy Clarke strike won the points for Stuart McCall’s side in Yorkshire.

Walsall had their moments with Andreas Makris and Kieron Morris forcing Bantams keeper Colin Doyle into impressive stops.

But in the end it was Clarke’s strike which proved the difference – with the goal created by the dangerous Mark Marshall.

“I thought it was a game of very fine margins,” the boss said.

“I said that to my players. At half-time we came in very confident. I thought we were comfortable and that we were the team that looked like scoring.

“Their keeper pulled off some really good saves. It was an accomplished first-half performance.

“We knew they would come back into like they always do. You have got to try and keep this crowd quiet – that was my message at half-time.

“But the fine margins are Marshall. Marshall getting a bit of space. We know he can do it and we knew he would be a threat. But we kept him really quiet in the first-half.

“Then that one time he gets a bit of space he creates a goal. After that gives the home team a lift and it becomes difficult to get back into it.

“I felt there were some good performances today. I can’t fault the lads energy.

“But these fine margins are what I am aware of and it’s what I have got to work on for the remainder of this season and building into next year as well.”

Whitney admitted he was pleased with Makris who arguably had his best game in a Saddlers shirt since joining in the summer.

The boss also gave praise to teenage striker Mitchel Candlin who made a shock debut from the bench.

“I think Andreas was really unlucky,” the boss added.

“He produced a great save from the keeper in the first-half. I thought him and Franck (Mouusa) threatened really well first half.

“Andreas deserves a run of games. Everyone else has had that chance. He has worked well in training this week. Franck has worked well as well and it’s a tight call who gets to play up top.

“I thought Mitch, the young lad, looked good when he came on. There are potentially lots of nice stories to be made but you have to do those small percentages that make you a winning team.”