Walsall recorded back-to-back league wins for the first time since September as goals from Caolan Lavery and Josh Gordon saw them to victory at Salford City.

Lavery struck in the first half before Gordon doubled the visitor’s lead as the duo both netted their eighth goal of the season. 

Brandon Thomas-Asante pulled one back for the Ammies but the Saddlers, who had Liam Roberts to thank, held on.

Darrell Clarke made four changes to the team that beat Leyton Orient on New Year’s Day. 

Callum Cockerill-Mollett came in for the suspended Cameron Pring while Cameron Norman, Alfie Bates and James Clarke came in for Shay Facey, Danny Guthrie and Mat Sadler. 

The matchday 18 included seven academy graduates as Kory Roberts, Joe Willis and Sam Perry made the bench.

The hosts had the better of the early exchanges as they had chances through Craig Conway and Jake Jervis. 

Walsall were dealt a blow after 16 minutes when Cockerill-Mollett was forced off with injury and was replaced by Mat Sadler. 

The Saddlers were looking to hurt Salford on the break and did just that on 27 minutes when they took the lead. Wes McDonald darted down the left hand side and his low cross found Lavery who stabbed the ball over the line at the second attempt. 

The Saddlers went into the break in front after a solid opening 45. 

Clarke’s men made a bright start to the second half and came close through Lavery and Gordon. 

They doubled their lead on 52 minutes when Gordon smashed the ball into the net from close range after Neal made a double save. 

Salford rallied after falling 2-0 down and got themselves back into the game when Thomas-Asante headed in Conway’s cross on 62 minutes. 

The hosts put the Saddlers under pressure from there but the Saddlers had their moments on the break through Gordon and McDonald. 

Roberts had to be alert and made a fantastic save to deny Joey Jones as he tipped his long-range effort over the bar with 10 minutes to go. 

He made another superb save low to his left to deny Burgess and the Saddlers held on for the win.