Walsall made it back-to-back wins in all competitions and ended their six-match losing run in League Two with a deserved victory against Cambridge United.

First half goals from Josh Gordon and Mat Sadler put the Saddlers in a commanding position before the U’s pulled one back through Harvey Knibbs in front of a crowd of 5,429 fans.

Darrell Clarke made three changes to the team that won 6-0 against Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday evening.

Sadler, Shay Facey and James Clarke, who made his comeback from injury, all came into the team.

Dan Scarr missed out through suspension while Gary Liddle and Cameron Norman dropped to the bench.

The Saddlers made the perfect start and got their noses in front after a minute when Gordon tapped in Facey’s low driven cross.

It got better for the Clarke’s men as they doubled their lead after 10 minutes when Alfie Bates’ cross was nodded in by Sadler.

Walsall kept pilling on the pressure as Caolan Lavery and Wes McDonald had further chances in the first half.

Cambridge’s best chance of the half came after 31 minutes when Sam Smith’s header struck the post.

Walsall were not keen to rest on their two-goal lead and ended the first half strongly with further efforts from Holden and Bates.

Cambridge improved in the second half but it was the Saddlers who still looked the more likely.

They came close to a third on 73 minutes when McDonald’s curler was tipped over by Mitov.

Colin Calderwood’s side had the final say as Knibbs converted from inside the box but the Saddlers held on to claim a crucial three points.

Roberts (GK); Facey, Clarke, Sadler, Cockerill-Mollett; McDonald, Kinsella, Bates, Holden; Lavery (Gaffney 83), Gordon (Adebayo 87).
Subs: Rose (GK), Norman, Hardy, Liddle, Jules.