THE SADDLERS won an enthralling contest with Carlisle United by two goals to one despite the visitors having two penalties.
A corner from Chris Palmer on six minutes caused problems for The Cumbrians as Ben Williams pushed the ball out only as far as Jabo Ibehre who managed to hook a shot goalwards as Richard Keogh headed clear in front of goal.
The visitors were awarded a penalty a couple of minutes later as Clayton Ince felled Danny Carlton on the far side of the area. It was the assistant referee who gave the spot-kick and Danny Graham stepped up only for Ince to save well before recovering to superbly block the rebound. The popular 'keeper then completed the job by claiming the resulting corner.
The save brought the Walsall faithful to life in support of their team and moments later Ibehre dipped a shot inches over.
In the next attack, Alex Nicholls did well to control a long ball out of defence by Stephen Roberts to make room for a shot that landed narrowly wide.
Another dangerous ball delivered from a free-kick by Palmer was met by the head of Michael Ricketts who was just off target.
Some neat passing by The Saddlers ended with Ibehre seeing his powerful drive pushed out by Williams as Richard Taundry blazed the rebound well over.
Just before the half-hour, Ibehre set off on a positive run before finding Nicholls whose shot deflected for a corner which clipped the far post from a deft Anthony Gerrard header.
A foul by Gerrard at the other end gave Carlisle a free-kick from Simon Hackney that stung the hands of Ince who then did well to keep out Carlton's effort.
Both teams were displaying a willingness to play good football at a decent tempo on what was a warm afternoon.
A run and shot from Nicholls saw the ball deflect over, then in the next attack the same thing happened again after Nicholls had robbed David Raven to set up an attack.
With the visitors becoming more unsettled, The Saddlers took the lead just before the break when a ball in from the left was met by a deft header from Dwayne Mattis for his second goal in as many weeks.
The Saddlers started the second period in much the same vein as they ended the first as some slick passing ended with Ricketts and Ibehre combining well only for the latter to fire inches wide.
On 63 minutes, a corner from Palmer was knocked back by Nicholls into the path of Ibehre who confidently fired beyond Williams to double our advantage.
Another teasing corner by Palmer was flicked on at the near post by Roberts as Williams made an instinctive block right on his goal-line. As the ball was cleared, Carlisle were able to launch a counter-attack as Graham's pace took him away from Taundry and Gerrard only for Ince to come to the rescue with an important block.
With the clock ticking down, The Cumbrians' substitute, Jennison Myrie-Williams showed some skill just inside the penalty area as Gerrard blocked bravely.
The visitors were soon given a lifeline in the form of another penalty as Marc Bridge-Wilkinson was tripped on the very edge of the area. The referee pointed to the spot and this time Bridge-Wilkinson stepped up to send Ince the wrong way and set up a tense finish.
Troy Denney was introduced in place of Ricketts and straight away the ever-willing Ibehre broke away before pulling a low ball across into the path of Deeney for his first touch. However, he failed to get the necessary power on his strike, which was deflected out for a corner.
The closing stages saw Ishmel Demontagnac on in place of the lively Nicholls as Walsall battled out the final minutes to record another excellent three points to make it three wins in a row.
PHOTOS: David Linney Photography
