Walsall 2 Tranmere 1

Manny Smith scored at both ends before Darren Byfield capped Walsall's fightback with a superb winner.

The striker netted his ninth of the season after an excellent turn on 70 minutes, just as a malaise began to grip the game.

Smith had earlier sliced into his own net before making amends, heading in from Steve Jones' first half corner.

Rhys Weston was sidelined after a knock in training, so Darryl Westlake returned at right back in the only change from Monday's 2-1 win over Wycombe.

Clayton McDonald, Peter Till and Matt Richards made the bench after suspension and injuries respectively.

The Saddlers survived an early scare when Craig Curran stole in to meet Ben Gordon's cross, but prodded wide from six yards.

Ian Thomas-Moore also let the hosts off the hook curling over on 10 minutes, after Bas Savage lhad eft Mark Hughes for dead.

They were two worrying openings for the Saddlers and Ash Taylor forced goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin to palm behind, as the visitors continued to make inroads.

Walsall rallied and Hughes' miscued effort fell to Jones to whistle a volley wide, but Rovers took the lead in a disaster for Smith after 27 minutes.

A quick throw taken on the right saw Gareth Edds toss in the ball for Smith sliced a volley low into his own net and past Gilmartin.

But eight minutes later the defender redeemed himself with his second goal in two games – at the right end – powering in a header from Jones' corner.

The Saddlers had found a rhythm and unsettled Rovers, but the visitors were a constant danger on the break.

Alex Nicholls wasted a great chance 10 minutes into the second-half after pouncinh onto Ian Goodison's indecision, but drilled an angled effort wide.

It had all become a bit tame, before a moment of class from Byfield edged the Saddlers ahead after 70 minutes.

The striker turned on a pass from Julian Gray, before slipping past Chris McGready and sliding a shot under Albion loan goalkeeper Luke Daniels.

Jones' cross clipped the bar with the Saddlers' looking comfortable, but Gilmartin had to be alert to gather Joss Labadie's late effort.

And Jones should have done better than to fire straight at Daniels after a quick break, but the Saddlers went on to claim a second successive win.