A frustrating afternoon for the Saddlers as goals from Jamie Allen, Devante Cole and Scott Fraser help Burton Albion secure all three points at the Bescot Stadium.
The Brewers started the brightest of both teams as Scott Fraser’s strike was parried away by Roberts in the third minute. Burton were then awarded a penalty three minutes later when Liam Boyce was brought down in the penalty area by Isaiah Osborne. However Boyce failed to convert the penalty for the second time in the week, prompting cheers from the Walsall fans behind the goal.
Burton continued to control the game and were rewarded for their efforts in the 13th minute when Jamie Allen’s deflected strike rippled past Roberts into the net.
The Brewers' technical area started to become animated with boss Nigel Clough barking out orders towards his players, although his counterpart Dean Keates still remained calm and composed, encouraging his players to do the same.
Walsall’s first chance of the game came 20 minutes in when centre-back John Guthrie’s header was blocked and cleared away by the Burton defence.
Devante Cole extended Burton’s lead four minutes later when Scott Fraser played a through ball into Cole, who buried the ball into the left-hand side of the net. The Brewers had the chance to extend their lead further as Boyce, Allen and Cole went close to scoring before half-time.
Scott Fraser made it 3-0 just after half-time when the midfielder’s shot beat Roberts into the net and it was nearly four as Steven Quinn’s shot from the edge of the box hit the crossbar.
After Keates substituted Nicky Devin onto the pitch, in an attempt to rejuvenate the Saddlers' performance, Walsall started to come back into the game with captain George Dobson, Morgan Ferrier and Andy Cook going close to scoring. The Saddlers then finally scored in the 77th minute with top scorer Andy Cook turning home Ferrier’s cross, however it only proved to be a mere consolation with Walsall suffering their third home defeat of the season.