A HEAVY burst of rain shortly before kick-off greeted the start of the 2010/11 campaign as The Saddlers began where the previous season had ended - with a visit from MK Dons.

2 - It was the visitors who started with more purpose and forced a couple of early corners that were scrambled clear.

5 - A foul on Jermaine Easter presented The Dons with a free-kick in a promising position which Dean Lewington curled just over.

15 - Saddlers still trying to get into their stride against an MK Dons side who were enjoying the majority of possession.

17 - Julian Gray tried to launch Walsall's first raid as he searched for Darren Byfield only for David Martin in The Dons' goal to get there first to claim ahead of the skipper.

31 - Neat ball from Darren Byfield found Richard Taundry on the right and his teasing cross into the danger zone was headed clear as Alex Nicholls and Julian Gray lurked with intent.

37 - A dangerous raid by the visitors ended with Jermaine Easter's deflected effort well blocked by Jonny Brain from close range as Angelo Balanta was then spoken to for diving as he tried to keep the attack alive.

39 - It certainly livened up proceedings as both sets of fans found their voice. A foul on Darren Byfield gave Walsall a free-kick just outside the area which Richard Taundry dipped inches over as David Martin was left floundering.

41 - MK Dons took the lead when Jonny Brain failed to hold onto the ball from Jermaine Easter and Sam Baldock was able to find the net from close range to make it 1-0.

HALF-TIME: Walsall 0 MK Dons 1

47 - Saddlers back on terms within minutes of the restart when a corner from the left was met with a towering header from Manny Smith that flew into the net.

50 - Appeals for a penalty from the visitors as Luke Chadwick looked to break through only for Ryan McGivern to get in a challenge that saw him win the ball as the referee waved away the protests.

54 - A quickly-taken free-kick by Dietmar Hamann saw him play in Angelo Balanta who cut inside but curled just over.

57 - There was a yellow card for Oliver Lancashire for a late challenge on Jermaine Easter. It presented The Dons with a free-kick just outside the area which Easter blasted into the defensive wall as Dietmar Hamann's follow-up was deflected out for a corner. The resulting flag-kick found Danny Woodards who made it 2-1.

62 - Jonny Brain came to the edge of his area to punch clear ahead of Sam Baldock.

79 - A corner from the left found its way over to Steve Jones whose half-volley flashed narrowly wide. Then, in the next attack moments later, a break by Julian Gray saw him feed Darren Byfield who drew the goalkeeper only for The Dons to get men back to scramble clear as he searched for Gray in the middle.

88 - Substitution saw Clayton McDonald replace Oliver Lancashire who gingerly left the field.

FULL-TIME: Walsall 1 MK Dons 2

PHOTOS: John Crowe