A DISAPPOINTING first half showing cost The Saddlers dear as we slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Crewe Alexandra.

With the travelling contingent in good voice, Walsall started with purpose by forcing a couple of early corners. On six minutes, Stephen Hughes' deep cross found Marco Reich at the far post but he was off target.

Anthony Elding fired wide in what was Crewe's first real sight of goal in the 11th minute before Clayton Ince made a vital block three minutes later when Joel Grant's flick-on left Elding clean through after breaking the offside trap.

A low ball in from the left by Jones caused problems for The Saddlers' back-line as the home side stepped up the pace.

At the other end, Reich cut inside before firing well over and within a minute Crewe had taken the lead when Tom Pope's low strike was pushed out by Ince and Elding reacted the quickest to the loose ball to fire home from close range.

With their tails up, the lively Grant struck the crossbar with a powerful drive as Walsall failed to clear their lines.

Just before the half-hour mark, Alex Nicholls' cross from the right was headed goalwards by Reich to win a corner which ultimately came to nothing.

Former Alex man, Ince had to be alert to block outside his area as Elding caused problems before a positive run by Nicholls saw him cut inside and bring a fine save out of Steve Collis in the home goal as he tipped the ball over.

With the interval approaching, Jabo Ibehre got away from his marker only for Collis to block his low effort.

The half ended with Crewe extending their lead as Grant twisted and turned before cutting inside and firing a sweet strike beyond Ince.

An early change in the second period saw Sofiene Zaaboub replaced by Ishmel Demontagnac, who partnered Ibehre up front as The Saddlers searched for a way back into the game.

On 57 minutes Ince once more had to be alive outside his area to deny Elding and shortly afterwards, Jimmy Mullen's men were given a lifeline as Ibehre held the ball up well in front of goal before teeing up Hughes whose low effort found the net to give him his first Walsall goal.

The Saddlers were well on top at this stage and Ibehre did well to feed Demontagnac in the next attack and his attempt was well saved by Collis as the Crewe back-line came under a period of real pressure.

Ibehre linked up with Hughes again but this time the skippers' shot was blocked and the rebound fell out to Anthony Gerrard who fired just wide.

Despite Walsall's pressure, the home side went close when Grant saw his shot spilled by Ince and Elding went close to turning the loose ball home despite the attentions of Manny Smith.

After Hughes was booked for dissent, Troy Deeney replaced Nicholls before there was another yellow card, this time for Ibehre for his part in a tussle with Bailey who escaped without a caution.

Elding thought he had extended the home side's lead only for his effort to be ruled out for offside. Then some excellent determined play by Richard Taundry saw him find Hughes who set up an attack that ended with Reich going down inside the area as he looked to outfox Danny Woodards. There were loud appeals for a penalty but the referee was unimpressed and instead handed Reich a yellow card for diving.

Some skilful play Demontagnac ended with him firing just wide with the 'keeper beaten. There was another booking, this time for Chris Palmer, as The Saddlers pushed forward in search of an equaliser.

Right at the death, Walsall were caught out as new signing, Clayton Donaldson broke through the middle but wasted the chance as he lifted the ball over.

PHOTOS: Emma Perrins