HEAVY rain greeted the kick-off as The Saddlers began our 2010/11 away campaign at Brentford.

4 Good double save from Jonny Brain kept the home side at bay as he denied Charlie Macdonald and then Gary Alexander with the follow-up.

6 Manny Smith did well to clear under pressure, but as the ball came back in to Gary Alexander, he lashed an effort that crept narrowly wide of the target.

11 The Saddlers took the lead with our first real attack as Alex Nicholls took advantage of some defensive hesitation to guide the ball beyond Alex McCarthy who was making his debut in The Bees goal to make it 1-0.

19 As the home side pushed for an equaliser, Sam Wood found space wide on the left only to lash the ball into the side-netting. There was a talking to for Manny Smith moments later for a robust challenge on Charlie Macdonald that left The Bees striker in need of treatment.

24 Long ball through middle from Ryan McGivern set Darren Byfield off in chase, but Brentford managed to eventually clear their lines as The Saddlers' skipper made his presence felt.

28 Goalkeeper, Jonny Brain booked for taking too long over a goal-kick.

31 A raid by The Saddlers ended with Darren Byfield's pull-back from the by-line cleared ahead of Steve Jones and this allowed the home side to break and force a corner, which ultimately came to nothing.

38 As a Walsall attack broke down, Brentford were able to surge forward through Charlie Macdonald who took on Aaron Lescott before getting in a low strike that was well blocked by Jonny Brain as it skidded across the wet surface.

43 The home side got back on level terms when Robbie Simpson's cross from the right was met by the head of Gary Alexander who managed to find the net despite Jonny Brain getting a hand to the ball.

Half-time: Brentford 1 Walsall 1

52 - The Saddlers started the second period in a lively fashion and regain the lead when Richard Taundry did well to feed Darren Byfield whose cross was swept home by Julian Gray for 2-1.

57 Strike from distance by Sam Wood spilled by Jonny Brain and as Toumani Diagouraga fired in the rebound, Brain was equal to it to push the ball out for a corner which was headed over by Leon Legge.

60 The travelling Saddlers contingent of 121 were making themselves heard as The Bees pushed for a way back into the game.

65 Gary Alexander tried his luck from outside the area only for Jonny Brain to make another good claim to deny The Bees.

68 Some important defending from Aaron Lescott, Oliver Lancashire and latterly Manny Smith thwarted Brentford as they piled players into the area.

78 Darren Byfield threaded a ball through for Alex Nicholls who showed great pace to beat his marker and get in a strike that Alex McCarthy managed to save.

80 There was a change as Will Grigg came on for Darren Byfield.

83 Myles Weston did well on the left and his cross found its way to the far side via Robbie Simpson for Gary Alexander whose powerful drive flew over and in amongst the home fans behind Jonny Brain's goal.

87 A low effort from Richard Taundry was blocked as Will Grigg picked up the rebound, but his eventual strike was tame and easy for Alex McCarthy to get down and gather.

90 In first minute of stoppage time, The Saddlers conceded a free-kick right on the edge of the area which Sam Wood drilled goalwards only for Jonny Brain to make a superb block. The resulting corner was met with a towering header from Leon Legge that landed inches wide as Walsall breathed a collective sigh of relief.

The Saddlers frustrated their hosts for the remainder of the half to secure our first win of the season courtesy of a solid and hard-working display. It was also Brentford's first home defeat for 17 games.