THE SADDLERS' second-string ran out comfortable 4-0 winners at Burton Albion last night.
Goals from Sam Parkin, Peter Till, Darren Byfield and substitute Will Grigg sealed victory for Martin O'Connor's side at the Pirelli Stadium.
It was Parkin, returning from an injury lay-off, who opened the scoring just past the quarter-of-an-hour mark when he fired home from close range.
The Saddlers remained on top throughout the opening period and both Byfield and Mark Bradley squandered chances to extend the lead before the break. It was 2-0 just seconds into the second-half as Peter Till smashed home an angled drive from 20 yards.
Byfield and Grigg combined in the 53rd minute but desperate Burton defending kept the pair at bay.
The evergreen Kevin Poole, Albion's 46 year-old stopper, was in fine form and continued to deny The Saddlers with a string of outstanding saves.
He was given no chance in the 69th minute though as Byfield found the top corner with a thunderous effort to make it 3-0.
Will Grigg capped an impressive second-half showing with a goal in injury time to complete a productive night's work for the second-string.
Burton Albion: Kevin Poole; Romuald Boco, Shaun Kelly, Aaron Webster (Courtney Sowe, 52), Ben Turner; James Knowles, Alex Monk, Benn Minshull (Matt Blake, 46), Jimmy Phillips; Richard Walker (Ben Spargo, 80), Greg Pearson. Sub not used: Danny Marsh.
The Saddlers: Clayton Ince, Rory Wood, Louis Keenan, Mark Bradley (Sean Geddes, 76), Mark Hughes, Manny Smith, Sam Adkins, Richard Davies, Sam Parkin (Will Grigg, 46), Darren Byfield (Jamie Paterson, 70), Peter Till. Sub not used: Jordan McCourt.
