Bradshaw scored in Coventry draw...
Striker Tom Bradshaw has praised his side’s battling qualities after Walsall came from behind to draw 1-1 with promotion-rivals Coventry.Chris Stokes’ first-half header put the Sky Blues in front, but Bradshaw’s late volley earned the Saddlers a point.
The result means Walsall stay third in League One, a point ahead of Tony Mowbray’s Coventry and two points behind leaders Burton.
“It probably wasn’t our best performance as a team but we’ve said all season that if you stay in games you’ve got every chance of getting a result,” said the 23-year-old.
“Coventry have shown how good a team they are all season and they’ve got Armstrong and Murphy – two great players on loan.
“But we showed great grit and team spirit to stay in the game.
“Last season, we would maybe have gone under two or three but we kept going, scored the equaliser and could have won it at the end.
“It maybe would have been a bit unfair to get the win but we had a few half chances and maybe on another day we would have got it.”
Bradshaw equalised nine minutes from time when he guided a wonderful left-footed volley into the corner from Rico Henry’s accurate cross.
It was the striker’s 13th goal of a prolific season – and the 50th goal of his career.
“It’s a special moment to get 50 league goals,” he said.
“I’m still young - only 23. It’s a big landmark but I want to kick on now and score more.”
Since recovering from an ankle injury, the ex-Shrewsbury man has featured in each of our last three competitive matches.
“I’m feeling fine now,” said Bradshaw.
“It was great to get minutes under my belt against Rochdale and then to start against Brentford.
“When you’re out for four or five weeks you can be a bit rusty.
“But it was good to play 85 minutes at Brentford and I felt sharp again against Coventry.”
Over 1,300 Walsall supporters travelled to the Ricoh Arena – just three days after 1,600 fans went down to Brentford.
“The support has been brilliant all season,” Bradshaw added.
“Every game we’ve gone into, we’ve known we have the full backing of the fans.
“We can hear it on the pitch and we fully appreciate the support – it massively helps.”