Walsall gave fans some Christmas cheer says Jon Whitney

In an entertaining and keenly contested clash at the Banks's Stadium, Isaiah Osbourne netted his first goal for the club to give the Saddlers a second-half lead.

But former striker Jordy Hiwula, who enjoyed two successful loan spells with Walsall, came back to haunt his former club with an equaliser just four minutes later.

Whitney though was full of praise for his players – with the manager having demanded they become hard to beat following back-to-back losses to Fleetwood and Oldham.

"I was pleased with the performance – the players gave everything and that's how it should be," Whitney said.

"In the past that's where I've become frustrated because I know the energy we can show and the quality.

"It was important to give the fans something today. It's all words when we say 'we believe in this team and it's a team for the future and we're building foundations' so you still have to show them.

"Go and show them what it means to you, go and enjoy playing football. Let's get this place rocking from now on because we have 25 games to make this a memorable season still.

"And with the application and the work ethic plus quality as well, I thought the lads did that to a tee and there were some really outstanding performances."

Whitney admitted he was disappointed with Bradford's equaliser, with his team having otherwise done well to restrict their opponents to half chances.

"The one time we weren't solid - we got done," the boss continued.

"I know it was a little bit fortuitous with the ricochet. But it was the one time we were spread and they scored. Again, we will learn from that.

"But I thought we created some really good chances and limited them, more or less, to a couple.

"We were really solid and, different to the Sheffield United game, I thought we kept it well too.

"I thought we were a threat and we weren't just defending and trying to stop them scoring like against Bolton here when we had ten men."

Whitney surprised fans when naming his starting line-up by leaving top scorer Erhun Oztumer on the bench as he switched to a more traditional 4-4-2 formation.

"I thought, man for man, we outmatched them today and credit to the boys for a good shift," he added.

"I'm happier with the two banks of four because it gives you a better idea coaching responsibilities, players knowing which part of the pitch they are in, in and out of possession.

"I thought it was important today that we worked on our shape.

"The really big thing this week that we've focused on is that we have to be difficult to beat, first and foremost, and then we attack from a defensive shape."