Walsall 1 Peterborough 3

Peterborough piled the pressure on Walsall manager Chris Hutchings after downing the spirited Saddlers at the Banks's Stadium.

The hosts remain bottom of League One despite a lively display, where they matched their title chasing visitors.

Defeat – the 10th in 15 games in the league this season – leaves Hutchings on the brink and fans again called for his head during the game.

Julian Gray's third goal of the season was in vain, as quick-fire first half goals from Ryan Bennett and Arron Davies put paid to a bright start from the Saddlers.

Gray's header made it 2-1 on 53 minutes, but 120 seconds later Kelvin Langmead restored Posh's two goal lead from close range.

But Walsall were left to rue missed chances as debutant Liam Dickinson, Ryan McGivern and Gray all went close.

The Saddlers handed an instant start to on-loan Barnsley striker Dickinson, just hours after his move from Oakwell.

Martin Devaney replaced Steve Jones while Aaron Lescott was dropped, despite an improved midfield display in Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Huddersfield, as Darryl Westlake kept the right-back berth.

Gray fired over and Dickinson saw his shot blocked in a lively start for the Saddlers, before Clayton McDonald's timely tackle denied Craig Mackail-Smith after seven minutes.

Westlake came within inches of his first senior goal a minute later, when Matt Richards' free-kick fell kindly for him and goalkeeper Joe Lewis turned his rasping drive over.

Lewis then denied McGivern with a low left-handed save, after the defender sprung from the back on 12 minutes.

It had been a positive start from the Saddlers, with Peterborough struggling to find any rhythm but they took the lead with their first attack on 15 minutes.

McDonald fouled Aaron McLean 35-yards out and, when Davies tossed in the free-kick, Bennett glanced in.

And 60 seconds later Posh doubled their lead with a goal of worrying simplicity.

The Saddlers were caught on the break as McLean and Mackail-Smith combined to tee up Davies, who swept home with impressive composure from 18-yards.

Richards was foiled by Lewis and Richard Taundry drove wide in a positive response from the Saddlers, with Jonathan Macken and Dickinson causing problems.

Taundry then whistled a 25-yard drive over eight minutes before the break as the Saddlers pressed and Macken almost pulled one back on 39 minutes.

The striker swapped passes with McGivern and found space but his first touch was heavy and Lewis spread himself to block the shot.

Within three minutes of the restart, Macken then created another opening for Taundry but the captain's goalbound drive was turned over by Lewin Nyatanga.

Posh responded through Gavin Tomlin's effort, which was tipped behind by goalkeeper Jimmy Walker, before Macken had a goal ruled out.

But on 52 minutes the Saddlers pulled one back, when Devaney's cross was headed in by Gray to give the hosts hope.

Yet they shot themselves in the foot within two minutes when Langmead made it 3-1, after the ball pinballed around the Saddlers' area following Davies' corner.

The Saddlers refused to give up in a pulsating encounter and Seth Nana denied Gray with a goalsaving block on 65 minutes.

Lewis spilled McGivern's low effort and Dickinson headed wide, as the hosts continued to create going into the final 10 minutes.

The overworked Peterborough goalkeeper then tipped over Dickinson's acrobatic volley over three minutes from time, as the Saddlers ran out of steam.