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THE SADDLERS stepped out at Crewe looking forward to getting back into action following a free weekend last week.
Both sides looking to get the ball down and play in the opening exchanges. Andy Butler forced to head over the bar following the home side's first raid and then at the other end, a neat move by Walsall ended with Craig Westcarr's effort having the sting took out of it.
Walsall having some decent spells of possession at this stage.
Both sides failing to create any clear-cut chances as the first half progressed with both goalkeepers kept relatively quite. For Richard O'Donnell a clean sheet was cap a memorable week as he became a dad on Tuesday and turned 25 two days later.
An intelligent ball from Westcarr broke the offside trap but Hemmings failed to take advantage.
It was Walsall who were seeing most of the ball but the half ended goalless as both defences remained on top.
HALF-TIME: Crewe Alexandra 0 Walsall 0
There were shooting opportunities at either end as Vadaine Oliver fires over for the home side and Sam Mantom see his low effort pushed out by Steve Phillips.
The game burst to life when a Walsall corner found Sam Mantom whose low strike deflected into the path of Andy Butler who was denied by a good save from Steve Phillips. The ball stayed alive and ended with Westcarr fired in an effort that took a deflection as it found its way into the net.
At the other end, Ajay Leitch-Smith was inches away from an immediate response, but then moments later, a Walsall raid ended with Westcarr felled for a certain penalty and he stepped up to make no mistake and make it 2-0.
First Walsall change sees James Baxendale replace Ashley Hemmings with 12 minutes to go.
It was the substitute who seized upon some sloppy play to break through and coolly slot home to make it 3-0.
In the wake of the goal, Romaine Sawyers replaced Adam Chambers and then Milan Lalkovic came on for Troy Hewitt.
A late break saw The Saddlers show pace and endeavour as Featherstone's strike pushed onto the crossbar by Phillips.
It was a fully deserved win for The Saddlers and an excellent away day display.
FULL-TIME: Crewe Alexandra 0 Walsall 3
WALSALL: O'Donnell, Taylor, Butler, Featherstone, A. Chambers, Mantom, Westcarr, Hemmings, Downing, J.Chambers, Hewitt. Subs: Purkiss, Lalkovic, Benning, Baxendale, Roberts, Sawyers, McQuilkin.