Walsall 1-0 Salford - report: Harrison Burke header seals win for Saddlers

Burke scored his first goal for Walsall with what proved to be the winner in the 32nd-minute after guiding a thumping header past Matthew Young from Jamie Jellis' corner. 

The Walsall defender had another header tipped on to the crossbar late on and debutant Daniel Kanu was denied twice in quick succession by the Salford shot-stopper. 

That result also saw Walsall keep their first home clean sheet in 2025. 

Mat Sadler made three changes to the team which started the Saddlers' 1-0 home defeat against Grimsby Town on Tuesday. 

Vincent Harper replaced the injured Mason Hancock for his league debut and Albert Adomah was given the nod in attack following Jonny Stuttle's recall. 

Evan Weir was also recalled to the defence and new loan signing Kanu was named on the bench after signing from Charlton Athletic yesterday. 

Walsall made a bright start and threatened the break the deadlock twice inside the opening four minutes.

Aaron Pressley was not quite able to direct his header on target in the first 30 seconds, before Adomah stabbed wide after being released by a superb pass by Harper.

The towering Pressley came close again via Jellis' long throw, after meeting a flick-on from Aden Flint but the Scotsman was unable to keep his header down.

Cole Stockton forced Myles Roberts into a smart save after peeling away from his man but was flagged offside in the aftermath. 

Walsall carried the greater attacking threat and took a deserved lead just past the hour-mark when Burke crashed Jellis's corner into Young's right-hand corner with a thumping header.

Salford upped the tempo after falling behind but Walsall defended their box well to stave off any danger posed by the visitors. 

Roberts plunged to his right to keep out Josh Austerfield's low shot and Adomah snatched at another chance when he fired straight at Young before half-time. 

The Saddlers had to be solid as a unit after the break but had chances to double their advantage. Burke cushioned Weir's free-kick delivery into the six-yard box for Pressley but he stabbed wide before being flagged offside. 

Kanu, who was introduced as part of triple change for his Walsall debut, had two chances in quick succession to get off the mark for his new club. 

Harper's cross deflected invitingly into his path but Young got down to deny him, before the Salford goalkeeper was level to his header from a beautiful Lakin cross moments later.

Walsall continued to threaten a second with Pressley firing straight at Wood and Flint nodding Weir's corner just inches wide of the target. 

The second goal never arrived but Walsall continued to go closer and closer. Flint forced Young to parry with a back post header before Burke's effort on the rebound was turned on to the crossbar by the Salford goalkeeper. 

Next, Walsall travel to MK Dons on Saturday next week, before visiting local rivals Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday.

Teams

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Burke, Flint, Weir; Warrington (Comley 58); Barrett (Clarke 87), Jellis (Finnigan 58), Lakin, Harper; Adomah (Kanu 58), Pressley (Matt 87).

Unused: Hornby, Farquharson.

Salford (3-5-2): Young; Turton, Oluwo (Edwards 87), Garbutt; Longelo, Woodburn (Bird 70), Grant, Austerfield (Butcher 59), Harris; Cesay, Stockton.

Unused: Howard, Berkoe, Malcolm, Butt.

Referee: James Oldham 

Attendance: 5,490 (159)