After a promising performance against Peterborough on Saturday, the Saddlers fell to defeat on Boxing Day as Bristol Rovers showed a ruthless side in-front of goal.

Goals from Tom Lockyer, Alex Rodman and Tareiq Holmes-Dennis were enough to give the visitors all three points, despite a goal just before half-time from Josh Gordon giving the Saddlers a slightly glimmer of home in the game. 

In the seventh minute, a failed clearance was fired back across the box and with Liam Roberts out of position from the original ball into the box, Lockyer was able to get in-front of his defender to poke the ball home. 

Three minutes later and the visitors doubled their lead. Holmes-Dennis floated the ball up to the back post where Rodman was unmarked and the winger fired home a first time volley past Roberts and Jack Fitzwater who was on the line. 

Moments later, Jon Guthrie got on the end of a deep cross and his header cannoned back off the inside of the post before being cleared right under the defenders nose as he looked ready to stab home his first goal of the season. 

As the Saddlers grew into the game further, the pressure began to build and one minute before injury time was announced, we got our reward. 

A free-kick was hooked to the back post and Andy Cook nodded it down and Gordon was on hand with an acrobatic finish, which found the top corner brilliantly. 

Seven minutes into the second half and Rovers restored their two goal advantage. Alex Jakubiak beat Guthrie on the edge of the box before playing in Holmes-Dennis who rolled the ball under Roberts. 

Despite their best efforts, following the third goal from the visitors, the Saddlers found it difficult to break down a resilient Rovers back line and a volley from Cook from 30-yards out was the only meaningful effort on goal.