THE SADDLERS had to work hard to secure three good points at a sun-soaked Bristol Rovers.

After Stuart Campbell had fired just over for the hosts early on, Marco Reich played in a dangerous free-kick from the left that caused problems and forced a corner that ultimately came to nothing.

With six minutes on the clock, an excellent ball from Richard Taundry set Alex Nicholls racing away and he played a clever ball across the face of goal that was defended bravely by Rovers as Michael Ricketts looked to profit. The resulting flag-kick was curled invitingly into the danger zone by Reich as Anthony Gerrard flicked the ball on to Ricketts who found space to fire home.

The goal came at a cost as Gerrard was left prone on the floor and after lengthy treatment, he walked gingerly from the field to be replaced by Chris Palmer as the returning Rhys Weston moved into the heart of defence alongside Stephen Roberts.

A speculative effort from Palmer curled goalwards and forced Steve Phillips into a low save as he managed to push the ball around the post. Once again Reich's corner caused problems amongst the home defence and Roberts got in a deft header that flew into the net to double the advantage.

Just past the half-hour mark, Reich found space on the left and he lined up a cross that Stephen Elliott managed to clear ahead of the awaiting Ricketts, who was wearing the captain's armband in the absence of Stephen Hughes.

A high cross from Nicholls saw Ricketts get in between the central defensive pairing only for his effort to land just off target.

The half ended with a superbly-timed tackle from Weston to deny Duffy as he was played through by Rickie Lambert. Then Duffy dragged another effort well wide as the home side ended the opening period on a positive note.

The second half started with some persistent play by Nicholls who fed Jabo Ibehre and he burst towards goal only for his progress to be ended by a timely challenge inside the penalty area.

Jeff Hughes went close for Rovers with a low drive after The Saddlers failed to properly clear their lines before another low shot, this time from Lines, was pushed out by Clayton Ince who appeared to be fouled in the build-up by Lambert as he challenged for a high ball into the box. As the corner came in, Ince had to be alert to touch a deft Duffy header onto the crossbar.

The pressure continued from the home side continued as they looked for a way back into the game and a free-kick right on the edge of the area gave them a chance. Ince was booked for encroachment as he took up a position right behind the defensive wall and when the kick was finally taken it beat the wall and Ince only to be cleared off the line by a combination of Ricketts and Nicholls who cleared the loose ball.

With Troy Deeney on in place of Reich, Walsall had to defend resolutely once again as Weston blocked bravely to deny Jo Kuffour, who came on for his home debut.

There was a further change with Ibehre replaced by Ishmel Demontagnac as manager, Jimmy Mullen was sent from the dug-out for entering the field to pass on instructions to Ricketts. Mullen initially took up a position on the terrace with the travelling contingent before being escorted by stewards to the visitors' seating area behind the goal.

There was a real let-off for The Saddlers as Lambert appeared offside but the flag stayed down and he strode through only to fire well over with only Ince to beat. At the other end, Nicholls looked to make something happen and ended up striking the crossbar with an effort.

The goal that Rovers had been threatening came with just a quarter-of-an-hour left when a corner found its way over to Elliott who fired powerfully home.

It set up a tense finish but the excellent Weston was again on hand to put in some whole-hearted defending to thwart the home side on the edge of the area before Deeney joined in on the act to keep out Lescott.

With time running out, Deeney did well in an attacking sense as he broke into the area only to be felled by Byron Anthony as he prepared to pull the trigger. The referee had no hesitation in pointing to the penalty spot as Anthony was given a straight red card. Ricketts took the captain's responsibility and sent Phillips the wrong way to make it 3-1 with a confident spot-kick that secured three hard-earned points on a sunny day for The Saddlers.