Walsall 1 Peterborough 2 - analysis

A blip. A reality check. Call it what you like but Walsall were shown up here – and shown they have a long way to go before being classed as promotion contenders.

Behind after just 64 seconds, the Saddlers faced a battle from there on in. They searched blindly for a leveller that never came against a quick and slick Posh.

Dropping out of the top six at this stage of the season is unlikely to set off alarm bells in the corridors of power at the Banks's Stadium, but with Hartlepool, Leicester and Leeds waiting to take advantage of similar slip-ups, Walsall can ill-afford similar performances.

Such was Peterborough's dominance that Walsall failed at almost every turn. From the moment Shaun Batt headed in a second-minute opener, they were on the rack.

They would have been grateful to reach the sanctuary of the dressing room one goal behind but Chris Whelpdale had other ideas when he swept in number two just before the break.

Goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin and the posts kept the score down in the second half, before Troy Deeney's first goal for 46 games and 13 months – and only his second ever professional strike – reduced the arrears when it was too late in injury time.

While the defeat ended Walsall's five-match unbeaten run, which had to end some time, it would be wrong to overstate the issue. If the Saddlers are still among the pacesetters after the visit of Hartlepool and trips to Leeds and Leicester, this defeat will be shrugged off as a blip.

They have punched above their weight but, in the words of manager Jimmy Mullen, were taught a lesson by their richer League One cousins.

Bankrolled by millionaire chairman Darragh MacAnthony and with manager Darren Ferguson able to call on his dad for advice, Peterborough were streets ahead.

Their poorer relatives couldn't contend with the both the class and pace of Posh.

Watching Hartlepool manager Danny Wilson, who brings his team to the Banks's next week, won't lose any sleep, but that early goal was a sickener.

The record states the Saddlers lost 2-1 but it would have been so much worse had it not been for the profligacy of the visiting strikers, the woodwork and Gilmartin.

The stand-in keeper produced a spectacular save after just 60 seconds from Batt but the ball was in the net four seconds later, when the striker headed in the rebound.

Posh's opener had stunned the hosts but owed everything to the skilful Craig Mackail-Smith, who left Stephen Roberts for dead on the flank before coolly finding Batt to do the rest.

Roberts bore the full brunt of Mullen's anger for selling himself too easily but the audacious skill and turn of pace by the mercurial Mackail-Smith was stunning.

The former Dagenham & Redbridge man, together with George Boyd, pulled the Saddlers apart with movement and passing.

With QPR assistant manager - and former Wolves goalkeeper - Tim Flowers along with Cardiff boss Dave Jones watching, it would be hard to see either of Peterborough's stars staying at London Road long term.

With the lead safely tucked away, Posh set about making a mockery of the Saddlers. Boyd continued to stray inside from the left wing and drove at the defence before feeding Batt, who was foiled by Gilmartin.

Chris Palmer should have done better than to shoot straight at goalkeeper Joe Lewis after getting goalside of Russell Martin, while Michael Ricketts and Jabo Ibehre were struggling to impose themselves – despite their physical advantage.

The fact Peterborough were missing their two first-choice centre backs, Craig Morgan and Gabriel Zakuani, to international call-ups should have allowed the Saddlers to take advantage. They failed the test.

While the effort was there, the initiative and ingenuity were lacking and Stephen Hughes epitomised the first-half display when he was caught in possession midway in his own half as he dwelt on the ball too long.

The Saddlers did almost equalise in the 23rd minute, when Gerrard rose highest to nod Palmer's corner against the bar and Ibehre couldn't turn in the rebound.

Such was the domination of the visitors that Walsall failed at every turn and found themselves 2-0 down when Whelpdale struck in the 43rd minute.

Martin laid the ball inside to the midfielder, who advanced and struck a low shot beyond the despairing dive of Gilmartin.

The winger finished well but it was another howler from the defence, who stood off him like cautious schoolboys. Similar displays of generosity will surely be welcomed at the Walkers Stadium and Elland Road next week.

A comeback of epic proportions was needed but the visitors were in no mood to relinquish their advantage. Posh had opted for a more direct approach after the break but soon reverted to the sharp play which had served them so well.

Quick feet from Micah Hyde allowed Boyd to curl a shot, which looped off Hughes, off the post and back into the arms of a relieved Gilmartin.

The keeper was called into action again in the 67th minute when Mackail-Smith stole in and squared for Boyd, whose shot was turned round the post by the stopper.

The chance was conjured by Mackail-Smith's awareness as Gilmartin and Roberts dawdled and highlighted the difference between the sides.

Ibehre tested Lewis from long range but, as the game ticked by, Walsall were pushing for any sort of comfort and gaps were fast appearing – on both sides.

Mackail-Smith rolled a shot against the post and fired wide in injury-time before Deeney nodded in his consolation from Palmer's corner.