Walsall 2-0 Doncaster Rovers - Saddlers stretch lead at the top to nine points

Nathan Lowe notched his 11th league goal of the season with a low finish from Connor Barrett's cutback two minutes after the break. 

Harry Williams put the seal on the win with a powerful header from Jamie Jellis' free-kick delivery in the 79th minute to double Walsall's advantage.

That extended Walsall's unbeaten run to 12 games in League Two as they registered four league clean sheets on the spin for the first time since 2014.

Walsall spent Christmas at the league summit for the first time in 18 years and were searching for a fifth win in a row in League Two. 

Third-place Doncaster trailed the hosts by seven points prior to kick-off and were looking to close the gap to boost their own automatic promotion aspirations. 

Jamille Matt returned from his one-match suspension to captain the side as Albert Adomah dropped to the bench.

Neither side managed to stamp their authority on the opening exchanges with chances at a premium. Doncaster threatened to get in behind when Harry Williams inadvertently diverted his headed clearance into the path of Billy Sharp but Tommy Simkin emerged to foil him before the veteran was flagged offside.

Lowe came inches away from adding his tally when he was unable to meet Charlie Lakin's low delivery on the stretch. Walsall launched a quick counter-attack from Doncaster's corner when Matt's measured clearance caught them on their heals. 

Lakin was lurking on shoulder of the last man and broke into the penalty area but Lowe was unable to apply the finishing touches despite his sliding attempts at the back post. 

Simkin was searching for his fourth consecutive shutout and was hardly tested in the first period with Luke Molyneux's effort from the edge of the box sailing wide of his right-hand post.

Walsall had not conceded a first half goal since their 2-2 draw at Chesterfield on October 5 and continued that record to head into the break with a platform to build from. 

The rain and wind was no obstacle for Lowe's cracker from distance at Harrogate and the thick fog, which descended on Bescot, was unable to obscure his vision as he delivered the breakthrough two minutes after the restart.

Barrett provided him with a low cutback and Lowe fired home from close-range to extend his tally to 14 goals across all competitions with his 11th league strike.

At the other end, Harry Williams and Ryan Stirk both combined to block Sharp's close-range finish behind after Molyneux had cushioned the ball down invitingly for the 38-year-old marksman.

Walsall looked explosive on the counter-attack with Lowe playing a starring role. The teenager sprinted down the left touch line with a mesmerising run before Jellis and Gordon combined to work the ball into the box. 

Gordon eventually found Lowe with a centre to the edge of the penalty area but the Walsall striker was unable to keep his finish down.

Walsall kept knocking on the door in their search for a second as Allen floored his man with a devastating drop of the shoulder and sent a fizzing effort across goal that whistled wide of the far post.

It was very much one-way traffic Barrett slotted the ball in behind for a rampaging Jellis but Sharman-Lowe emerged to foil him with a smart save with his legs.

Walsall were getting closer and closer to doubling their advantage with only the post depriving them of a vital second. Allen swung another dangerous free-kick into the box and Williams crashed a powerful header off the post.

Williams would not be denied a second time and doubled his tally for the campaign and Walsall's lead 11 minutes from time. Jellis drifted a delightful free-kick into the heart of the penalty area and Williams towered above his marker to power his header past Sharman-Lowe.

Doncaster had chances to halve the deficit with substitute Jordan Gibson creating both of them. The winger escaped down the right to square for Joe Ironside who was unable to find the target before Josh Emmanuel forced a smart stop from Simkin with a darting header from Gibson's floated corner.

Next, Walsall welcome Newport County to Bescot on Sunday before they travel to Meadow Lane to face Notts County on New Year's Day. 

Teams

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Stirk; Barrett, Jellis (McEntee 82), Lakin (Earing 90), Gordon; Lowe, Matt (Adomah 82). 

Unused: Hornby, Daniels, Weir, Johnson.

Doncaster (4-1-2-1-2): Sharman-Lowe; Emmanuel, Olowu, McGrath, Fleming (Clifton 73); Kelly (Senior 72); Bailey, Broadbent (Gibson 80); Molyneux (Hurst 73); Ironside, Sharp.

Unused: Lawlor, Anderson, Close.

Referee: Oliver Mackey 

Attendance: 7,220 (833)