Conor Wilkinson scored his first goal of the season to make certain of a deserved victory over Gillingham.
Isaac Hutchinson’s deflected shot early in the second half gave the Saddlers the lead on 50 minutes and it looked like it was going to be enough but Wilkinson’s first strike in a year in stoppage time put the result beyond doubt.
Michael Flynn made two changes to the team that drew with Swindon Town on Tuesday night.
Oisin McEntee and Matty Stevens both came into the starting XI while Joe Low and Matty Stevens dropped to the bench.
Walsall got off to a fast start and almost scored after a minute when Liam Kinsella’s cross was met by Hutchinson whose header was tipped over by Glenn Morris.
Brandon Comley also tried his luck from distance but his strike was well held by Morris as the Saddlers tested Gillingham’s resolve in the early exchanges.
The Gills grew into the game after Walsall’s bright start and their first attempt on goal came after 22 minutes when Tom Nichols headed Cheye Alexander’s cross over the bar.
The tempo of the game dropped as the half went on but the Saddlers did end the half strongly and came close when Hutchinson poked the ball through to Williams who rifled in a shot but Morris was equal to it and pushed it behind and the two teams went in level at the interval.
The Saddlers started the second half with good intent and were rewarded five minutes into the second period. Tom Knowles sprayed the ball out beautifully to Hutchinson who drove forward and let fly with a shot that found the bottom corner via a deflection.
Flynn was forced to make a change on 53 minutes when Jacob Maddox limped off with an injury and was replaced by Low.
Gillingham looked for a route back into the game and started to see more of the ball. They came close when Aiden O’Brien fired in a shot that just went over the bar via a deflection.
The Saddlers were keen to add to their tally and get security of a two-goal cushion. Hutchinson came close to grabbing his second when Knowles cut the ball back across the box and he swept in a shot but Morris was in the way to make the save.
Flynn introduced Wilkinson, Stevens and Songo’o in the latter stages to freshen things up as the Saddlers looked to get over the line.
Gillingham applied late pressure but the Saddlers stood firm and ensured they would take home all three points when Wilkinson struck in injury time.
Evans; Riley (Songo’o 81’), McEntee, Daniels, Monthé; Kinsella, Comley, Maddox (Low 53’), Hutchinson; Knowles (Stevens 81’), Williams (Wilkinson 74’).
Subs: Smith (GK), Gordon, Maher
Attendance: 6709 (439) away