Salford City came from behind to beat the Saddlers as goals from Matt Smith and Ryan Watson from the penalty spot were enough to nullify Rollin Menayese’s first half opener at the Peninsula Stadium.
Menayese came into the action after just five minutes as he replaced Donervon Daniels who picked up a knock and it was the centre half who had the first half chance of the game as he met Jack Earing’s corner but his looping header was well held by Frank Fielding in the City goal.
But shortly after the half hour mark in the game, the substitute got himself on the scoresheet for the first time in a Saddlers shirt.
Earing clipped a free-kick into the box and Manny Monthe nodded it down and after a break in the chaos inside the box, the ball fell kindly for Menayese and his bobbling effort was just enough to beat Fielding despite the best efforts of the keeper.
However, the lead lasted just 10 minutes as a ball into the Walsall box was cushioned down into a dangerous area by Matthew Lund and Smith was on hand to score his third goal since joining in January.
Eight minutes into the second half and the Saddlers thought they had themselves back ahead but the woodwork denied them as a low ball into the box was flicked goal bound by Monthe but his effort cannoned back off the post.
After the hour mark, the home side had a host of chances to go ahead with Matthew Lund going the closest as a low ball back across the face of goal was poked towards the far post by the midfielder but his effort was wide of the post.
Shortly after the chance, the home side had the opportunity to go ahead from the penalty spot as Liam Kinsella handled the ball inside the area.
Up stepped Watson from 12-yards out and he sent Jack Rose the wrong way to give the home side the lead.
Moments after going ahead, the home side nearly scored again as the lively Brandon Thomas-Asante took on Hayden White but his low fizzing effort was well saved by Rose.
Just minutes after the chance for the home side, the Saddlers nearly got themselves on level terms as Earing’s corner was met by Joss Labadie who saw his header cleared off the line by Smith.
As the clock ticked down, Tyrese Shade tried his luck from 30-yards out but his effort flew inches wide of Frank Fielding’s near post.
At the end of the game, the Saddlers went in search of an equaliser but were unable to find a way past Fielding and the home side walked away with all three points.