Fleetwood 0 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

The forward lashed home left-footed ten minutes before the break after the hosts had failed to clear their lines.

Saddlers keeper Richard O'Donnell brilliantly denied Martin Paterson and Stephen Dobbie, while Paul Downing cleared an effort off the line.

But this was a deserved three points for Dean Smith's men, who became the first away side to win at Highbury Stadium since February 1.

The result also made it back-to-back away victories in the league for the Saddlers, who have taken ten points from the last 12 available.

It was also, tellingly, their first win in the league without the services of top scorer Tom Bradshaw who again missed his third straight game with a hamstring injury.

While they relied on the brilliance of O'Donnell both at the beginning and end of the game, in between the Saddlers controlled proceedings.

Smith had threatened to make changes in the wake of Tuesday's FA Cup defeat to Shrewsbury and was true to his word.

Anthony Forde and Mathieu Manset made way for James Baxendale and Ashley Grimes – the latter making his first start since October 11.

Jordan Cook was denied an early chance for the Saddlers when his standing leg gave way just as he was about to shoot, after flicking the ball over defender Steven Jordan.

Gareth Evans then came within inches of opening scoring for the hosts, flashing a volley wide after Stephen Crainey's cross had skimmed off the head of defender Downing.

Michael Cain then shot over for the visitors, but the better attempts continued to come at the other end.

Only a brilliant save from O'Donnell kept out Paterson's curling shot after the striker had been allowed to run 20 yards unmarked to the edge of the Walsall box.

The game became scrappy but the Saddlers were beginning to visibly build in confidence, before Sawyers struck 10 minutes from time.

It was a goal which owed much to shoddy defending, as the hosts made a mess of clearing the ball out of their box.

Three defenders all tried to deal with Andy Taylor's left-wing cross. Sawyers showed no such uncertainty with his left-footed finish as he drove the loose ball low into the bottom corner.

Adam Chambers went close to doubling the lead immediately with a drive that flew inches past the post.

The hosts rallied and only a superb diving tackle from Ben Purkiss denied Paterson a clear shot at goal from 10 yards out, after Stephen Jordan had appealed for a penalty.

Yet it was the Saddlers who finished the half on top and Taylor flashed a drive just wide after more good build-up play.

Home goalkeeper Chris Maxwell nearly handed the visitors a second on a plate in the opening moments of the second-half, with Sawyers blocking his clearance to safety.

Fleetwood's next chance did not come until after the hour mark and even then O'Donnell had little reason to worry as Jeff Hughes' shot cleared the bar by some distance.

Cook was also over at the other end with a header from Taylor's free-kick.

The teams traded attempts with Dobbie lifting an effort over for the hosts, while Sawyers saw one deflected off target.

It was the visitors who were by and large in control until the final 10 minutes when the hosts suddenly found a spark.

First Dobbie forced O'Donnell into another superb save with a low shot down to the goalkeeper's right.

Paterson then got round the Saddlers custodian after latching on to a through ball, but Downing recovered to clear his effort off the line as the Saddlers held on.