The Saddlers kicked off their summer with a defeat against National League North side Alfreton Town at North Street.
An opening goal from new signing Elijah Adebayo was cancelled out by Josh Clackstone and Morgan Brough either side of the break.
With just six minutes in the clock, Adebayo, who joined from Fulham, opened his Saddlers account after Cameron Norman cushioned a header back across goal and the 6”4 striker was able to head it back from where the keeper came from to make it 1-0.
Halfway through the half and Adebayo came close to adding his, and Walsall’s second goal, but his half volley was easy for Town keeper Tom Nicholson to claim.
With 25 minutes on the clock, the Saddlers should have added their second after great build up play. Dan Scarr played the ball over the top to Adebayo who squared the ball to Josh Gordon but his header was just over the bar.
10 minutes before the half-time whistle, Darrell Clarke’s side once again came close to their second, this time through Scarr. After a pinball in the box, the ball fell to Scarr 12-yards out but he could only lift it over the crossbar.
In the 39th minute, the home side got themselves back into the game through Clackstone who fired home across Liam Roberts to level things up.
Into the second half and it was the home side who enjoyed the majority of possession throughout the 45.
Following 10 changes at the break from Saddlers boss Clarke, the home side went in search of a second and nearly found it when Bobby Johnson cut inside and curled one to the far post but it went inches wide of the post.
With 12 minutes left to play, Alfreton went close again as substitute Harvey Grice had a free header six-yards out but he was unable to direct it on target.
In the 88th minute, the home side netted their second when Brough rounded Trialist A in goal, before back heeling the ball past Joe Willis on the line.