Walsall ended their three-match losing run with a hard-fought victory at Forest Green Rovers.
Josh Gordon opened the scoring from the penalty spot before Wes McDonald came off the bench to double the Saddlers’ lead.
Josh March pulled one back late on for Forest Green but Walsall held on to claim a crucial three points.
Darrell Clarke made one change to the side that lost to Crewe Alexandra last weekend as Stuart Sinclair came in for Wes McDonald.
The first half took some time to get going and neither side created any meaningful chances in the opening exchanges.
Walsall’s best opportunities came from set pieces with Nathan Sheron and Shay Facey getting on the end of a free-kick and corner respectively.
Forest Green had the chance of the half on 37 minutes. Liam Roberts pushed Ebou Adams’ shot behind before the resulting corner bounced off the post and was cleared off the line by Cameron Pring.
The Saddlers made a good start to the second half and were presented with a brilliant opportunity to take the lead when they were awarded a penalty five minutes into the half when Liam Kinsella was brought down in the area.
Gordon stepped up and his despite Conrad Logan getting a hand to it, he found the net to give Walsall the lead.
Rovers upped the tempo and the Saddlers had some defending to do. Substitute Aaron Collins had a decent chance at the back post but couldn’t find the target.
Walsall weathered the storm and caught Forest Green on the break after Lavery’s interception helped set McDonald free down the left. The winger drove into the area, went round the outside of the defender before he lifted the ball over Logan and into the net.
Clarke’s side could have wrapped it up when Lavery’s teasing ball was flicked goalwards by substitute Elijah Adebayo but Logan got his body in the way.
Rovers then pulled one back with three minutes of normal time to go when March prodded home from close range after Aaron Collins’ flick on.