WALSALL boss Jon Whitney felt Rovers striker Danny Graham was ‘unplayable’ at times as his brace handed Rovers victory at the Banks’ Stadium.

In doing so the striker moved beyond 150 career goals and Whitney described Graham as ‘the best number nine in this league’.

As he did in the game at Ewood Park last month, Graham had Rovers 2-0 up inside half an hour, but Walsall battled back and were handed a lifeline just before the break from Jack Fiitzwater.

And Whitney said: “I thought in the first half we were a bit tentative.

“We just didn’t do the basics as well as them. The pitch was very lively, I wasn’t expecting it to be that lively.

“I thought they got the first hits in. We did it against Doncaster last week and Blackburn did it to us.

“I think (Danny) Graham was a little bit unplayable for periods in that first half and that he showed why, for me, he is the best number nine in this league and could still play much higher.

“It was a good experience for our young team to play against him and Armstrong, who is a threat.

“We got the goal back, a bit similar to at their place, but the difference today was that we started the second half much better.

“We were the team that looked like we were in the ascendancy but we couldn’t get that second goal.

“It’s disappointment but I couldn’t fault the lads’ energy and effort today. I think Graham probably made the difference between the two teams.

“There were lots of positives and we’ve got to take them into Peterborough now on Tuesday.

“If we can pick up some points there, then suddenly the defeat doesn’t look as bad.”

Walsall had the better of things after the break, David Raya forced to make two good saves from Erhun Oztumer and Julien Ngoy.

“If you are going to take something from a game where you’ve ended up with a defeat, then you’ve got to take positives from the second half,” Whitney told the Express & Star.

“I thought we outplayed and outbattled a team who I think are the best team in the league.

“It would have been great if we could have got that equaliser but we’ve got to move forward with some confidence and use that as a bit of a benchmark.

“I know George (Dobson) got man of the match but I thought there were some good performances out there today. Julien (Ngoy) was a threat up top when he came on.

“I think we were a bit unfortunate not to get an equaliser.”