Walsall 0 AFC Wimbledon 1 - Report and pictures

Prior to the game, manager Dean Keates labelled the fixture as the biggest of the season for the Saddlers.

But his team managed just two shots on target against a Dons side who began the game 10 points adrift of safety at the bottom of the League One table.

Wimbledon’s winner came early in the second half through Blues loanee Steve Seddon. Forward Joe Pigott also hit the post for the visitors.

Walsall had their moments, striker Andy Cook saw a header sail just inches wide. Jon Guthrie also forced keeper Aaron Ramsdale into an outstanding stop.

But overall, the Saddlers didn’t create enough with the result meaning they have now won just one of their last 12 games.

In naming his starting line-up, boss Keates opted to make four changes from the team that fell to defeat at Blackpool on Saturday.

Luke Leahy, Isaiah Osbourne, Liam Kinsella and Josh Gordon were all recalled with Scott Laird, Nicky Devlin, George Dobson and Matt Jarvis the men making way.

The changes meant the Saddlers switched from a traditional 4-4-2 formation to a midfield diamond with Joe Edwards at the base, Kinsella and Isaiah Osbourne central and Gordon at the tip.

Wimbledon made six changes from the team that was beaten by Burton with manager Wally Downes opting for a 3-5-2 formation that saw Michael Folivi partner Joe Pigott up front.

It was the visitors who created the first chance of the match after forcing a free-kick 25-yards from goal.

Anthony Wordsworth stood over the set-piece and curled a strike that looked like it could find the bottom corner. But Liam Roberts read the effort and got down well to push the ball away.

Both teams entered the clash struggling for confidence having lost five of their last six league games.

And that lack of belief was clear in the opening 20 minutes with neither side creating a chance of note.

Midway through the half though, the Dons should have opened the scoring.

Shane McLoughlin found Folivi in the box with the Watford loanee putting himself through one-on-one after brilliantly spinning away from his man.

But just as the striker looked set to fire into the back of the net, Roberts raced off his line to bravely block the effort.

Walsall’s response was instant with Edwards sending in a free-kick which Cook glanced inches past the post.

And while the match remained cagey for the rest of the half, the Saddlers created two excellent chances to go into the break ahead.

First, Edwards found Gordon who charged to the byline before standing up a cross.

But the delivery was just a fraction too high with Aramide Oteh millimeters away from connecting.

Then in stoppage-time, a corner fell for Jon Guthrie with the defender spinning his marker like a seasoned centre-forward.

But while the former Crewe man then powered a strike at goal, Aaron Ramsdale was equal to it with keeper spectacularly tipping the ball away.

Despite Keates’ men ending the first-half with the momentum, Wimbledon almost opened the scoring 60 seconds after the interval.

A corner fell for Folivi with the striker’s shot only kept out by a goalsaving block from Gordon.

That miss though was just a warning for what was to come with the Dons opening the scoring in the 48th minute.

After collecting the ball in the box, Folivi saw a strike well blocked by Roberts. But there was then a mammoth scramble which ended with Seddon slamming the ball into the net.

Wimbledon were suddenly rampant and they had glorious chance to extend their lead just moments later.

Pigot was played clean through on goal with the forward firing the ball past Roberts.

But the striker’s effort clipped the inside of the post and then bounced to safety in what was a huge let-off for Keates’ men.

In need a of a change, Walsall switched Edwards and Oteh for Jarvis and Zeli Ismail in a move that saw them move to a traditional 4-4-2 formation.

But despite the changes, Downes’ side continued to press with Pigot forcing Roberts into another good stop from a tight angle.

With Walsall needing someone to step up to the plate, Jarivs and Ismail began to look bright.

And they almost pulled a goal back when Leahy’s smart ball found Jarvis in the box but the Norwich loanee could only send a low drive straight at Ramsdale.

After that chance there were still 20 minutes remaining.

But while Walsall pressed for an equaliser they created next to nothing with a Cook strike from 20 yards - which sailed comfortably wide - their only sight of goal.

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Scarr, Norman, Osbourne, Kinsella, Edwards (Ismail 55), Gordon , Oteh (Jarvis 55), Cook.

Subs not used: Dunn, Devlin, Fitzwater, Laird, Blackett-Taylor.

AFC Wimbledon: Ramsdale, Oshilaja, Nightingale, Hartigan, Seddon, Sibbick (Thomas 76), McDonald, McLoughlin, Pigot (Pinnock 66), Wordsworth, Folivi.

Subs not used: McDonnell, Wagstaff, Garratt, Barcham, Soares.