Rovers looked set to go on to record a convincing victory after going ahead through Billy Paynter's third-minute penalty but they could not add to the lead and were hanging on at the end.
Saunders said: "Some of the football we played in the first half was brilliant and we should have really finished them off there and then.
"But we couldn't get the final pass right at times and missed a couple of good scoring opportunities.
"The second half was a complete contrast and I'm just pleased to have the points in the bag."
