Preston 1 Walsall 3 - match report
Chairman Jeff Bonser watched Walsall as the Saddlers routed Preston to close the gap to the play-offs to five points.
The owner has been in self-imposed exile for two-and-a-half years but saw Febian Brandy, Paul Downing and James Baxendale earn the Saddlers their fifth win in six games.
Bonser opted to stay away after criticism over his running of the club and saw the Saddlers win for the second time this season, after also watching their 4-2 win at MK Dons on Boxing Day.
Andy Butler also hit the bar during a dominant first half as the Saddlers moved into 12th in League One – despite Bailey Wright's injury time consolation.
Ian McLoughlin made his debut after signing on loan from MK Dons while Baxendale made his first start for two months and Andy Taylor made the bench after a groin injury.
And the Saddlers made a bright start with Jamie Paterson forcing Thorsten Stuckmann into a smart save before the keeper turned Butler's header, from the resulting corner, onto the bar.
North End hit back with two chances of their own when Nicky Wroe shrugged off Mal Benning only to slice wide and Stuart Beavon headed at McLoughlin.
And the hosts wanted a penalty when Joe Garner went down after a tug from Butler but their protests were waved away.
The Saddlers then took the lead on 18 minutes to anger Preston further when Will Grigg burst into the area for Brandy to slam in from five yards.
Walsall continued to be the stronger side and Baxendale could have doubled their lead on 27 minutes when he was put clear down the left – but lobbed over a stranded Stuckmann into the side-netting.
The midfielder then curled wide nine minutes before the break after an excellent break by Sam Mantom.
Two minutes later though a second did arrive when Downing headed in Adam Chambers' cross after Jamie Paterson's free kick was only half cleared.
It was no more than the Saddlers deserved and Mantom almost added a third, shooting over after a slick move.
Walsall were in control and Grigg was twice denied by Stuckmann before the striker teed up Baxendale to rifle in a third from 18-yards on 55 minutes.
It ended the game as a contest with the Saddlers untroubled as Preston struggled to recover.
Graham Cummins headed onto the roof of the net and Grigg ballooned over five minutes from the end before Wright pulled one back in stoppage time.
