THE SADDLERS found themselves second best for much of the afternoon as Swindon Town inflicted our first home League defeat of the season.

Martin Butler showed good strength to win a corner on eight minutes as The Saddlers looked to make their presence felt in the game.

A sweeping move from right to left three minutes later ended with Kris Taylor's cross deflected for a corner which was delivered by Mark Kinsella to Chris Westwood whose deft touch at the near post was cleared off the line with the 'keeper beaten.

A dangerous ball into the Walsall area by Sofiane Zaaboub was met by the head of Curtis Weston, but his effort landed just over.

Ian Roper saw yellow for a collison in the middle of the park with Zaaboub as the visitors looked to launch a counter-attack.

It was Swindon who took the lead on 22 minutes when Lucas Jutkiewicz got the better of Roper inside the area before calmly slotting past the exposed Clayton Ince.

Shortly afterwards Michael Timlin's shot was blocked by Dobson as The Saddlers came under pressure.

A long-range drive by Daniel Fox just past the half-hour mark drew a good save from Phil Smith before a free-kick from just outside the area by Kinsella beat the wall but was easy for the 'keeper in the closing stages of the first half.

With Hector Sam on in place of Mark Wright at half-time, it was Walsall who launched the first raid of the second period when Tommy Wright broke away and his ball inside the area was deflected into the path of Dobson whose shot flew just over.

The Saddlers were almost caught out on the counter-attack moments later, however Kris Taylor was on hand to get to the ball ahead of Christian Roberts as Dann completed the clearance.

Aaron Brown then fired just over for The Robins after Roberts' positive run had caused concern.

An acrobatic effort by Kinsella just inside the area lacked the pace to beat the 'keeper, although it took him two attempts to gather. It was to be the player-coach's last kick as a professional footballer as his long and succesful playing career came to an end when he was substituted to a standing ovation on the hour-mark as Craig Pead took his place.

Another counter-attack from the visitors saw Roper beaten just inside his own half by Jutkiewicz who raced goalwards only to fall under the challenge of Dann as he attempted to guide him away from goal. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot and Roberts squeezed home the penalty to double Swindon's advantage.

Anthony Gerrard replaced Westwood only what was turning out to be a bad day at the office for Richard Money's men.

The closing stages saw a half-volley from Pead skim the crossbar as a throw-in found its way over to him but in the end Walsall found themselves second best as we slipped to our first home League defeat of the season. 

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography.