Walsall started 2023 on a positive note as a rare goal from Liam Kinsella helped secure three points against Mansfield Town.
Douglas James-Taylor opened the scoring late in the first half before Kinsella netted his first goal since November 2019, first league goal since 2015, to double the hosts' lead.
Mansfield pulled one back in the final 10 minutes through Rhys Oates but it wasn’t enough as the Saddlers held on.
Michael Flynn made four changes to the team that lost 2-0 to Stockport County on Thursday.
Oisin McEntee came in for his first ever start while Andy Williams, James-Taylor and Jacob Maddox were all restored to the starting XI.
Liam Bennett dropped out as he was recalled by Cambridge United, Danny Johnson was ineligible to face his parent club while Jack Earing dropped to the bench and Hayden White was missing.
The visitors started well and had a decent chance on 12 minutes when George Lapslie arrowed in a shot from the edge of the area but it just whistled past the post.
Walsall’s first meaningful attempt on goal came after 34 minutes when Maddox found James-Taylor in the box who took a touch and got a shot away but it was comfortably saved by Christy Pym.
Tom Knowles looked bright in the right wing-back position and had a good chance when he drove forward, cut inside and got a shot away but his effort took a deflection and went behind.
Owen Evans was called upon for the first time four minutes before half time as he got down well to push away substitute George Maris’ powerful strike.
The Saddlers opened the scoring two minutes later after some good work by Williams to find Maddox in space. The midfielder’s ball found it’s way to James-Taylor via a ricochet but the striker stayed cool to control the ball and guide it into the bottom corner and Flynn’s men went into the half time interval ahead.
Walsall started the second half like they finished the first and doubled their lead on 46 minutes when a corner was met by Kinsella at the back post whose bullet header flew into the net.
The Saddlers had their tales up and had further opportunities through Liam Gordon and Williams.
Mansfield still posed a threat and Maris looked dangerous with his shots from distance but Flynn’s men were equal to them.
Flynn’s first substitution came on 72 minutes when Conor Wilkinson replaced Williams.
Mansfield began to apply late pressure in the final 15 minutes and they made it count on 82 minutes when Oates headed in from close range to set up a nervy finish for the hosts.
The pressure continued to come after the goal but Walsall stood firm and returned to winning ways.
Evans; Knowles, McEntee, Daniels, Monthé, Gordon, Kinsella, Maddox (Comley 78’), Hutchinson, Williams (Wilkinson 72’), James-Taylor (Earing 87’)
Subs: Barrett, Cashman, Allen, Maher
Attendance: 6199 (1090 away)