THE SADDLERS recorded our first victory of 2010 with a deserved 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers.

It was the home side who had the first opening when Wayne Brown's second-minute effort bounced up in front of Clayton Ince who did well to push the ball around the post.

With five minutes on the clock, an inviting cross from Matt Richards on the left had to be headed out in front of goal by Steve Elliott.

There was a booking for Jamie Vincent for a late challenge as Rovers broke with pace. Vincent was again spoken to by the referee ten minutes later following a foul out wide as the resulting free-kick was cleared ahead of debutant, Paul Heffernan.

A low drive from Dwayne Mattis was well saved by Mikkel Andersen in the home goal on 25 minutes before some neat link-up play between Alex Nicholls and Peter Till saw the latter cross well as Troy Deeney failed to make a proper connection.

The opening goal arrived just past the half-hour mark when Nicholls, who started up front alongside Deeney, was alert to rob Jeff Hughes and make progress towards goal. The ball eventually found its way to Richard Taundry whose low strike found its way home.

Till evaded a couple of challenges before crossing deep where Nicholls was just off target with a header from a good position.

Walsall were on top as the first half neared a conclusion, although a handball by Darryl Westlake presented former Saddler, Mark Wright with a free-kick from a promising position that was headed clear by Clayton McDonald.

The half ended with Westlake making a contribution in an attacking sense as his cross was pulled back by Deeney only for Rovers' skipper, Stuart Campbell to make an important clearance.

The second period started with home substitute, Charlie Reece dragging an effort wide from outside the area.

Mattis saw yellow for a foul as the home side looked to launch a counter-attack after a Saddlers' corner broke down.

On the hour, Nicholls and Deeney looked to link-up on the edge of the area only for Elliott to be alive to the danger.

The Saddlers were working hard to frustrate the home side and restrict them to half-chances. Andy Williams cut inside only for his shot to be gathered by Ince without too many problems.

With just left ten minutes on the clock, a clumsy challenge by Vincent saw Jo Kuffour fall inside the area and the referee had no hesitation in awarding Rovers a penalty. Hughes stepped up and saw Ince make a fine double save much to the delight of his team-mates and the 135 travelling supporters.

The Saddlers were forced to defend resolutely in the closing stages as Rovers pushed for an equaliser, even sending goalkeeper, Andersen up to join the attack from set-pieces on a couple of occasions.

However, the final whistle sounded to give Chris Hutchings' men a deserved three points to take us back into the top ten.

PHOTOS: Kevin Grice