THE RAIN of earlier in the day had cleared as the game kicked off on a muggy August afternoon.

3 Some good work wide on the right by Steve Jones saw him sail past his marker before cutting inside from near the by-line to produce a low cross into the danger zone that found its way to Julian Gray whose effort was blocked.

5 It was a lively start from The Saddlers, however, the first sight of goal for the visitors saw Onismor Bhasera dip an effort just over from outside the penalty area.

13 A low strike by Richard Taundry deflected out for a corner, which was cleared only as far as Steve Jones who delivered a deep cross to Manny Smith on the far side of the area and his header back saw David Button in the visitors' goal gather ahead of Reuben Reid, who was making his Walsall debut against the club that launched his career.

17 A foray forward by The Pilgrims saw Rory Patterson's strike easy for Jonny Brain, whilst moments later at the other end, Steve Jones lashed powerfully over as the ball fell to him on the edge of the area.

19 Great chance for The Saddlers when Alex Nicholls linked up with the lively Steve Jones to set him through on goal only for his strike to beat the 'keeper but strike the base of the post and rebound away from goal. It was a let-off for Plymouth.

27 Foul on Alex Nicholls gave Julian Gray a free-kick in a promising position on the right. Gray's high delivery was met with a towering header from Manny Smith who was penalised for a foul.

29 Despite being second best for most of the game so far, Plymouth took the lead when Joe Mason was given space to get in a strike that found its way beyond Jonny Brain to make it 1-0.

31 A ball in from the right was not properly cleared by Argyle as Alex Nicholls got in an effort that bouced narrowly wide.

37 As the visitors started to get a grip on the game, Rory Patterson was played through by Dean Parrett but he fired well over from a good position.

43 Free-kick played short to Steve Jones whose cross headed wide by Manny Smith.

45 There was a blow for The Saddlers in stoppage time at the end of the first half when Steve Jones took a knock that required him to leave the action as Paul Marshall took his place. When play resumed David Button had to claw away an effort from Richard Taundry to maintain his side's lead.

Half-time: Walsall 0 Plymouth Argyle 1

47 Free-kick to the visitors at the start of the second period saw Lee Molyneux's strike take a deflection as Luke Summerfield turned the ball beyond Jonny Brain only for Oliver Lancashire to block on the line as he covered his 'keeper.

49 Julian Gray linked up with Reuben Reid who managed to get in a strike that saw David Button bright as he got down to make the save. The high tempo of the first half continued as both teams seached for the all-important next goal.

52 Saddlers deservedly back on level terms with a well-worked goal as Julian Gray fed Reuben Reid on the left and he eventually managed to pull out a deep cross that was met by a perfect header from Paul Marshall that sailed into the net for his first goal for the club to make it 1-1.

55 Boosted by the goal, Julian Gray twisted and turned only for his effort to be saved, whilst at the other end, Luke Summerfield's inviting cross was turned in by Joe Mason only for the offside flag to bring an abrupt end to his celebrations.

69 Saddlers ahead as Alex Nicholls drove forward and the ball found its way to Reuben Reid via Julian Gray and the debut boy made no mistake as he guided the ball beyond David Button to make it 2-1.

71 A cross from the right found its way to Joe Mason who was denied by a fine block from Jonny Brain. Then, in the next attack, there were loud appeals for a penalty from the visitors when Chris Clark went down just inside the area. All protests were waved away by the referee.

80 A dangerous raid from Luke Summerfield ended with his cross being bravely cleared by The Saddlers.

82 Reuben Reid subsituted to a standing ovation as Will Grigg took his place. Reid claimed the Man of the Match award from the Match Sponsors, Bar Sport for his action-packed debut performance.

85 A further change by Chris Hutchings saw Clayton McDonald take the place of Manny Smith.

90 (+ 3) Saddlers caught Plymouth on the counter-attack as Alex Nicholls broke through only to be held back by Kari Arnason as he closed in on goal. Arnason was duly red-carded as the resulting free-kick saw Matt Richards curl the ball around the wall to produce a fine save from David Button who tipped the effort over.

The final whistle soon came as we secured our first home win of the season and second successive 2-1 victory to leave Plymouth tasting their first defeat back in League One. 

Full-time: Walsall 2 Plymouth Argyle 1 

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography