Freddie Draper scored his 10th goal of the season as Walsall returned to winning ways with victory over Crewe Alexandra at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Oisin McEntee also got on the scoresheet as the Saddlers picked up what was a deserved three points with an accomplished display.
Mat Sadler made one change to the team that lost to Accrington Stanley on Saturday as Isaac Hutchinson in for David Okagbue.
Crewe had a couple of early attempts as Joe White’s free-kick was saved by Jackson Smith before Aaron Rowe dragged a shot wide.
Walsall’s first chance came after 25 minutes when Liam Gordon’s cross was nodded down by Jamille Matt into the path of Hutchinson who struck the ball first time but Mickey Demetriou managed to get in the way to make a great block.
The Saddlers came close to taking the lead when Hutchinson unleashed a powerful strike that cannoned off the crossbar.
Walsall made their pressure count on 33 minutes when Draper powered in a header direct from Ryan Stirk’s corner.
The Saddlers ended the half strongly and went into the break in front.
Smith was forced into a save early in the second half when Ryan Cooney had a pop just outside the box but the Saddlers stopper got down well low to his left to push it away.
Crewe came close again on 57 minutes when Demetriou’s cross found Courtney Baker-Richardson who headed just wide of the mark.
The Saddlers found their rhythm again and came close on 60 minutes when Stirk’s terrific cross-field ball found Hutchinson who beat his man and got a shot away but Booth made a good save to deny him.
Just one minute later, Sadler’s men doubled their lead when McEntee flicked in Stirk’s corner with his head.
There was little in way of response from Crewe and the Saddlers controlled the game after the second goal and went on to claim all three points.
Smith; Knowles, McEntee (Williams 84’), Farquharson, Daniels, Gordon; Comley, Stirk, Hutchinson; Draper, Matt (Earing 80)
Subs: Evans (GK), Foulkes, Maher, Allen, Johnson