The Saddlers kept their fifth clean sheet in 10 league games as they picked up their first home win of the season thanks to a sublime over-head kick from captain James Clarke.
In a game that wasn’t littered with chances, it was a moment of pure quality that won the game for Darrell Clarke’s men in the second half as the instrumental Danny Guthrie found Clarke at the back post and the defender produced an acrobatic over-head kick which found the top corner.
As the clock ticked to the 15 minute mark, Danny Guthrie picked the ball up inside the United half and clipped the ball into the feet of striker Coalan Lavery who worked some space on the edge of the area after beating his man. Unfortunately for the forward, his curling effort was just wide of the far post.
With 10 minutes to play until the break, Guthrie again picked out a team mate, this time Wes McDonald, on the edge of the area following a corner but his effort flew over the bar.
Into the second half and the Saddlers took the lead just after the hour mark. Following a short corner, Rory Holden set the ball back to Guthrie and he beat his man with a little jink inside and his cross to the back post found Clarke who produced a moment of magic and his over-head kick found the top corner.
As the game entered the final stages, the Saddlers remained resolute at the back as Clarke’s team hung on to the 1-0 win to pick up their fifth clean sheet in the league, and sixth in all competitions, this season.