Salford City 1 Walsall 2 - Report and pictures

Despite the home side creating the better chances in the first half, a Caolan Lavery strike was the difference at half-time.

Shortly after the start of the second half Josh Gordon fired in a second in front of the huge travelling support.

Brandon Thomas-Asante pulled a goal back for Salford but the Saddlers weathered a storm with some resolute defending.

A sensational save from Liam Roberts denied Joey Jones in the final moments as Walsall hung on for the win.

Darrell Clarke made four changes to his Walsall side, starting in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Shay Facey and Danny Guthrie were unavailable after coming off injured in the win over Leyton Orient.

Cameron Norman and Alfie Bates took their place while Callum Cockerill-Mollett came in for the suspended Cameron Pring.

James Clarke returned to the team after his suspension, taking the place of Mat Sadler.

Mitch Candlin was recalled early from his loan at Nuneaton and travelled with the squad, but was not included in the 18.

Sam Perry made his third substitute appearance while fellow academy midfielder Joe Willis made the bench for the second time.

Graham Alexander’s Salford team started in a 4-4-2 formation, making two changes from their 1-0 loss to Grimsby last time out.

Salford’s new signing on-loan from Fleetwood, Ashley Hunter, made the bench.

The Ammies started the better of the two teams, however with almost 1,300 visiting supporters in the away end, Walsall had a large following to cheer them on.

Craig Conway had the first effort of the game, sending a powerful long-range effort just over the bar.

As Salford continued with the early pressure Jake Jervis was next to go close. The winger lifted his shot over the bar after the ball fell to him from a free-kick.

Walsall’s bad luck with injuries continued in the 17th minute when Cockerill-Mollett was forced off. Sadler took his place, Norman moved to left-back and Clarke moved to right-back.

Luke Armstrong should have scored minutes later. The forward had a shot saved from close-range by Roberts’ feet.

Despite defending for most of the half, Walsall went ahead in the 27th minute. A counter attack saw Rory Holden release Wes McDonald down the left. The winger carried the ball all the way and delivered a delightful cross to Lavery. The striker’s initial attempt, as he comes sliding in, was saved but the ball bounces back off him and into the back of the net.

Thomas-Asante’s shot from distance was saved shortly after, before an excellent corner from Bates just needed a touch from a Walsall head to put them two goals ahead, but it evaded all of his team-mates.

Gordon should have scored when his shot from close range was blocked.

The Saddlers went into the break leading 1-0 and with all of the momentum after surviving several Salford chances earlier in the half.

As the teams emerged for the second half Hunter replaced Jervis to make his Salford debut.

Lavery should have scored his and Walsall’s second within minutes of the re-start but his header from point-blank range was saved by Chris Neal.

Minutes later, however, and Gordon doubled Walsall’s lead. McDonald again crossed from the left forcing Neal into a double save from both Lavery and Gordon, but the latter then followed up to fire into an empty net in front of the away fans.

Conway almost got a goal back from Salford out of nowhere when he cross from the right was heading all the way in, before Roberts clawed it clear.

Salford’s pressure paid off in the 62nd minute when Thomas-Asante pulled a goal back. The forward met Conway’s cross and was unmarked as he nodded home.

The introduction of Zak Jules meant Walsall changed to a 5-3-2 as they looked to hang onto the lead.

There was a huge shout for a penalty when Lavery looked to be pulled back as he chased down the ball in the box.

In the closing minutes of added time Roberts made a sensational save to deny Jones who headed from close range.

And that save won the game for Walsall as Darrell Clarke’s team hung on for a statement 2-1 win.

Walsall: Roberts, Norman, Clarke, Scarr, Cockerill-Mollett (Sadler 17), Holden, Bates, Kinsella, McDonald (Jules 83), Gordon, Lavery.

Subs not used: Rose, K.Roberts, Hardy, Perry, Willis.

Salford: Neal, Touray, Threlkeld (Dieseruvwe 77), Hogan, Armstrong (Rooney 54), Burgess, Towell, Jones, Thomas-Asante, Jervis (Hunter 45), Conway.

Subs not used: Letheren, Hughes, Whitehead, Doyle.

Attendance: 3,173 (1,291 Walsall)