Dean Smith praises 'excellent' Walsall

Boss Dean Smith was full of praise for his "excellent" players after Walsall secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Bradford at the Banks's Stadium.

Tom Bradshaw's 12th goal of the campaign gave the Saddlers a deserved lead at the break, following a first-half dominated by Smith's side.

The in-form Bantams, unbeaten in their previous 10 games, hit back through Lee Evans' spectacular volley shortly past the hour mark.

But Milan Lalkovic's fourth goal in seven games sealed the points to leave Smith delighted with the way his side performed both offensively and defensively.

Smith said: "It was a really good game, two good teams and I thought, first-half, we were outstanding.

"But as good as our play was in the first half, we had to be good at the other side of the game after the break.

"They made it very difficult for us in the second half. They got better balls into James Hanson but I felt we dealt with him really well.

"We had a plan how to play against him because he is very useful in this league.

"We knew it would be a second ball game. Not a lot of people think about Walsall as a second ball team but you have to be at times. I thought we did that very well.

"It was an excellent performance from the players."

Having come away with just one point despite dominating their last two games against Swindon and Sheffield United, Smith admitted it was a relief to see his team get the points they deserved.

He added: "At 1-0, you're always worried about whether you'll see the game through. But I told the lads at half-time not to get bored with doing what is right.

"There was a couple of times we gave the ball away sloppily by doing something different when we didn't need to. But we have scored two goals with two very good finishes.

"Tom took his really well. For Milan's goal it was a great ball, a great touch and a great slot as well."