WALSALL v PORT VALE
THE SADDLERS stepped out for this local derby with Port Vale in determined mood.There was an evenly-matched opening as both sides saw their fair share of the ball without either 'keeper being seriously tested.
Appeals for a penalty for the visitors were waved away after Jennison Myrie Williams' shot hit Paul Downing.
The visitors took the lead on 20 minutes when the ball came in from the right by Adam Yates and Tom Pope found space to fire home.
At the other end, Sam Mantom's run ended with him blazing over.
The visitors were working hard and not giving Walsall any time to settle on the ball as the clock ticked down.
HALF-TIME: Walsall 0 Port Vale 1
Early chance for the visitors as Chris Lines headed wide from close range.
The Saddlers starting to up the pressure in the early exchanges of the second period with a series of corners and then a free-kick which ended with a James Chambers strike as the ball came back out to him, pushed around the post by the young 'keeper.
In the next raid Milan Lalkovic tried his luck but was off target.
With Ashley Hemmings on for Milan Lalkovic, he got straight involved in the action as Walsall pushed on for an equaliser.
The 66th minute saw Vale add a second as Gavin Tomlin's shot on the turn found the net.
With just under 20 minutes to go, Julian Gray came on for James Baxendale and then our final change saw Troy Hewitt on for Romaine Sawyers.
The Valiants proving to be stubborn opposition here for The Saddlers as we were unable to find a way through our well-drilled opponents.
FULL-TIME: Walsall 0 Port Vale 2