Walsall 1 Southampton 0
Heroic Walsall catapulted out of the League One drop zone for the first time since October after a stunning rearguard action against Southampton.
Heroic Walsall catapulted out of the League One drop zone for the first time since October after a stunning rearguard action against Southampton.
Jon Macken's fifth goal of the season claimed a priceless win but the Saddlers' goal led a charmed life – with goalkeeper Jimmy Walker excelling.
A stunning point blank stop from Jose Fonte was the pick of the bunch while Walker also denied Lee Barnard, Dan Harding and Morgan Schneiderlin.
And when the goalkeeper was beaten, defender Andy Butler cleared Barnard's header off the line.
The win leaves Walsall fifth bottom – three points ahead of Swindon who they visit on Saturday.
Emmanuel Ledesma was handed a debut and charged with supporting lone striker Macken, while Paul Marshall was recalled in midfield.
But the Saddlers were immediately on the back foot as Walker saved from Schneiderlin after just four minutes, before stops from Barnard and Harding.
The home side, pinned back in their own half, struggled against the movement and skill of the Saints' strikeforce and Walker smothered Barnard's low shot after 24 minutes.
Adam Lallana's curler fell easily for the overworked goalkeeper before the Saddlers, through Richard Taundry's free kick, conjured their first effort on goal after 34 minutes.
Six minutes later, they almost took a shot lead when Ledesma's dipping volley landed inches over goalkeeper Kelvin Davis' bar.
The Argentine was at the heart of Walsall's best moves but it was Walker the Saddlers had to thank on 68 minutes, when his stunning block from Fonte provided the platform for Macken's opener.
The goalkeeper spread himself to stop the defender's point blank header and 60 seconds later the Saddlers were ahead.
Aaron Lescott launched a ball long which Radhi Jaidi misjudged to allow Macken a clear run and his lofted finish beat the advancing Davis.
It stunned the Saints who rallied and Butler hacked Barnard's far post header off the line with 13 minutes remaining.
Then Tom Williams, Lescott and Taundry all threw themselves in the way of Southampton efforts.
Danny N'Guessan flashed a drive wide in an agonising five minutes of injury time – but the Saddlers clung on.
