Steve Cotterill hails Jake Bickerstaff part in Cheltenham winner against Walsall

Cheltenham boss Steve Cotterill praised Wrexham loanee Jake Bickerstaff for the role he played in their late winner after beating high-flying Walsall 1-0 at the EV Charger Points Stadium.

The forward chased a seemingly lost cause before delivering low into the middle, where Tommy Taylor’s shot was blocked before being deflected into the net off defender Aden Flint’s head in the second minute of stoppage time.

The late drama means resurgent Cheltenham have taken 10 points from a possible 12 since Cotterill’s return at the end of September and the manager compared Bickerstaff to a Premier League front man.

“Jake’s been a bit like (Viktor) Gyokeres for Arsenal because he’s done loads of running and had little reward for it, in terms of goals,” Cotterill said.

“What happened epitomises him since I’ve been here because he’s a fantastic lad, who I really enjoy working with.

“The fitter he gets, the longer he runs, the more things will drop for him. If he gives up on that lost cause none of that happens at the end.

“I’ve just thanked him and all the players for their efforts, every single one of them and the staff.

“It’s about everyone coming together and I can’t thank everybody enough for what they’ve given me, whether it’s the players, the staff that came in with me or the staff I have inherited.

“I just can’t thank everyone enough and the support has been incredible.”

Walsall started the day top of the table and Aaron Pressley missed the target from a good position in the 15th minute as Mat Sadler’s side threatened first.

Home goalkeeper Joe Day had to save well twice from Rico Browne but Arkell Jude-Boyd forced Myles Roberts into action at the other end just before half-time.

Courtney Clarke headed Jamie Jellis’ cross over the bar from close range in the 57th minute for Walsall before Day did well to parry an effort from Brandon Comley and turn over a vicious effort from Clarke in the 78th minute.

Jid Okeke smashed a shot against the angle of post and bar for the Saddlers seconds later but it was Cheltenham celebrating at the end.

Walsall boss Sadler was left perplexed as to how his team left empty-handed.

“We dominated the game and were very impressive in lots of areas,” Sadler said.

“For 91-and-a-half minutes it was a very good performance. The trouble is the game doesn’t last for 91-and-a-half minutes so we have to make sure we see moments like that out and defend those properly collectively, really focusing on those moments.

“That was our undoing and I don’t really know how it happens, off Aden’s head and looping into the net, but it’s important we don’t only assess this as a two-minute game.

“We played very well for large spells but we have to learn from it as a group and make sure we don’t give teams who don’t deserve it a head up.”