Vinny Samways marked his return from suspension with a stunning fourth minute free kick as Walsall grabbed a first away win of the season against Reading.
Playing 4-4-2, the Saddlers fielded Gary Birch and Neil Emblen up front in place of the injured Paul Merson and Jorge Leitao. Ian Roper and Darren Wrack returned to the starting line up after injury in place of Jamie Lawrence and Darren Bazeley.
Samways beat former Saddlers’ trialist Marcus Hahnemann with a free kick from an acute angle to put Walsall one up. Simon Osborn then set up Emblen for a header which flew just over before drifting a lob just wide himself. Walsall dominated the first half and Jimmy Walker denied the Royals an equaliser, saving from John Salako after 35 minutes.
Gary O’Neil had a goal disallowed for offside and Birch began the second half with a thumping effort that just cleared the bar. Walker denied Nicky Forster before Samways limped off near the end.
Gary Birch - in what was described as his best performance for Walsall - and Neil Emblen impressed up front whilst Paul Ritchie and Ian Roper marshalled the defence superbly. Walsall brought on Matias, Hay and Lawrence in a bid to run down the clock and held on for a superb victory.

Walsall today shocked fans with the announcement of losses of over £1 million for the last financial year. The £1.032 million deficit comes after a run of eleven successive profitable years. Club Owner Jeff Bonser blamed the loss on the demise of ITV Digital, saying “It significantly reduced our income, and that of every First Division Club, by over £2 million. The circumstances behind this short-term reversal of our financial fortunes were outside our control.” Bonser however, remained positive, stating that “We retained our First Division status for a third consecutive season, and that is a club record. What’s more, we were able to complete the signing of Paul Merson, as well as a number of other signings, which gave us what in the eyes of many shrewd judges is the best squad of players ever assembled by Walsall FC.”