Jon Whitney left ruing missed Walsall chances

Jay Emmanuel-Thomas netted in the 84th minute to earn a vital win for under-pressure Gills manager Justin Edinburgh.

That goal was incredibly harsh on the Saddlers who had gone on to dominate the game after Jason McCarthy had equalised Cody McDonald's early opener.

And while frustrated not to see his side take all three points, Whitney refused to criticise his players who he felt gave everything.

"If we had got the winner, it would have been a great performance so one free-kick cannot suddenly make us into a bad team," the boss said.

"That's my key as manager – to make the players understand that and show them why we were so dominant. That's all you can do.

"The last two games now, we've played worse this season and come away with a point or a win. We've been punished again for a little bit of a lack of discipline.

"But if we are not going to take chances and get that second goal, you leave yourself open to it.

"I thought we responded really well after their early goal and got to grips with it more second half.

"We played some really good football, got into the final third and created some good chances but we didn't take them.

"And we got punished by the one shot they had on target in the second half."

Walsall have now conceded late in their last two outings with MK Dons grabbing a stoppage time winner last time out.

"From those last two games, I don't think we deserve only one point," Whitney added.

"But, again, the performance is what I asked for from my players and I couldn't fault the lads' effort.

"And if there is any criticism, I will take it because if the players are going to put a shift in, then I am quite happy to take the criticism for them and the disappointment of the fans.

"I can see that at the end – they are just frustrated that we didn't go on and win the game after dominating the second half."