Northampton 0 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

In a week that has left fans jubilant following Leigh Pomlett's takeover, a solitary goal from James Clarke was enough to earn the points at Sixfields.

In an entertaining clash, both teams looked bright and dangerous in spells.

But an honest Walsall remained solid at the back throughout with James Clarke, Dan Scarr and Mat Sadler all putting in commanding displays at the heart of the defence.

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Clarke opted to stick with the 3-5-2 system he largely used throughout pre-season when naming his starting line-up.

In total six players made their Walsall debuts with James Clarke, Mat Sadler, Cameron Pring, Stuart Sinclair, Danny Guthrie and Elijah Adebayo all in from the off.

It meant Adebayo was joined by Josh Gordon in attack with Cameron Norman and Cameron Pring the wing-backs.

Northampton, who had nine players making their debuts, lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system.

Harry Smith was the lone striker with Matt Warburton in the number 10 role and Nicky Adams and Sam Hoskins operating either side.

It was Walsall who started the game on the front foot.

And it proved to be a case of third time lucky with the Saddlers opening the scoring after winning a trio of corners in the early stages.

The goal arrived after James Clarke met Danny Guthrie's delivery with a brilliant header - the ball then clipped the underside of the bar before crossing the line.

Despite the Saddlers' bright start, Northampton also looked dangerous with widemen Adams and Hoskins particularly bright.

And only an outstanding save from Liam Roberts prevented them from pulling level midway through the half.

A ball into the box was knocked down by Smith to Hoskins who hit a half-volley towards goal.

But Roberts did brilliantly to not only stop the strike but to also get the ball over the bar and away from danger.

Suddenly, the Cobblers had a spring in their step with Charlie Goode heading wide from a corner.

Initially, the Saddlers did well to weather the storm with the back three of Clarke, Dan Scarr and Mat Sadler looking organised and composed.

But Curle's side did create a flurry of chances to pull level just before the break.

First, Sadler did incredibly well to nip in and nod the ball away from Smith who looked destined to tap in an inviting cross.

The ball came then back into the box but Scarr made an impressive block to keep out another Smith effort from six-yards.

After a cagey start to the second-half, Walsall should have doubled their lead just before the hour mark.

In a bizarre moment where everyone stopped because they thought the ball was out of play, Gordon realised it wasn't and charged into the box.

His cross was then diverted to Liam Kinsella in the box but the midfielder's goal-bound strike hit Adebayo and bounced to safety.

Pring then did really well to burst past two Northampton defenders and into the box.

But the wing-back then saw a low drive held by David Cornell in the Northampton goal.

The Cobbers responded with a Joe Martin cross causing havoc but Scarr and Sadler did just enough to get the ball away.

Minutes later Hoskins fired over from the edge of the box when he should have done better after Roberts could only punch clear a cross.

With the hosts picking up steam, boss Clarke switched Guthrie for Gary Liddle with 20 minutes remaining.

Northampton continued to come forward though and they almost pulled level when Martin curled a free-kick inches wide from 20-yards.

Walsall were now digging in to hold on to their lead.

And they needed to call on Roberts once again when the hosts won a corner.

The ball was sent to the back-post and nodded back into the danger area.

It was then met by Andy Williams but Roberts made an outstanding reaction stop to tip his header over.

Seemingly out of nowhere, referee Nicholas Kinseley decided to add on seven minutes of stoppage time.

But while it was edgy at times, Walsall held on to clinch a deserved win.

Northampton: Cornell, Hall-Johnson, Martin, McCormack (McWilliams 61), Goode, Hoskins, Smith, Adams, Lines, Wharton, Warburton (Williams 64).

Subs not used: Turnball, Watson, Pollock, Roberts, Arnold.

Walsall: Roberts, Clarke (Jules 87), Scarr, Sadler, Norman, Pring, Guthrie (Liddle 72), Kinsella, Sinclair, Adebayo, Gordon (Holden 90).