Jon Whitney: Walsall will learn crucial lessons

A first-half Jermaine Beckford goal won the game for the Shakers in a clash that also saw Mark Gillespie save two penalties for the Saddlers.

In what was overall an even contest, it was only Beckford’s goal and a lack of discipline from Walsall in giving away the spot-kicks that separated the two sides.

But Whitney, while believing there were positives in the performance, conceded his team needs to do better in both boxes.

“I think the first-half, take away the first minute and the last minute, we were the better side,” the boss said.

“We’ve had a great save from Gilly (Gillespie) in the first couple of minutes.

“I thought we started the game well. Put them on the back foot and created the better chances. I think we could have gone in with a lead.

“But the timing of the goal was a sucker punch. It was right on the 45th minute and from a dead ball as well.

“But the lad’s heads were still up at half-time and from there I think they just tried to stop us playing.

“They made it quite ugly. It was very stop-start. There were too many free-kicks. And it’s difficult then to get any flowing football played.

“They played to see it out. I’m disappointed with the result but I can’t fault the work rate and application from the lads.”

Whitney admitted during the second half in particular, Walsall seemed to lack a cutting edge up front.

“We didn’t create enough in the second half,” he continued.

“Their two midfielders just sat and limited our space. I don’t think we switched it quickly enough in the second half, we didn’t have enough width.

“They were very narrow and compact so we needed to get in wider areas. It’s something we will look at.”

While disappointed with the result, Whitney was full of praise for Gillespie and his two penalty saves.

“He made two great saves,” the boss added.

“He works a lot with Cuts (Neil Cutler) on penalties. They go through all the players and try and work out which way they are going to go. He makes up his mind early which way he is going to go.

“I’m disappointed because I think the lads, with the effort they put in, deserved more.

“But let’s face it we can’t keep coming away from home and giving away two penalties because he won’t always be there to save them.

“Our discipline needs to be better. We gave away too many free-kicks. I think we fell into their hands a little bit and made it a very scrappy affair.”