Kevan Broadhurst sprang his usual surprise in his team selection, as Craig Pead disappeared completely from the 16. Mark Wright took his place at right back, as the Saddlers lined up:-

A Oakes, M Wright, I Roper, A Gerrard, D Fox, K James, P Mills, S Osborn, G Smith, P Devlin, A Barrowman Subs: R Gilmartin, C Westwood, M Timm, M Leary, I Demontagnac

wfc_2uk reporting from the ground says that the new look team did not perform very well at first, defending far too deeply, despite the encouragement of some 300 very vocal fans.

Slowly but surely, however, the Saddlers began to get a better hold in the game, which, accordingly, started to turn a little scrappy. They were indebted to Oakes for making what may well be one of the saves of the season, however, tipping a goalbound header onto the cross bar.

Mills was the pick of the Walsall side, as we got a fairly even share of the chances created, but it was a moment of sheer quality that made the difference between the two sides.

Barrowman, not for the first time, chased another lost cause in the fortieth minute, squared the ball back for Smith, who knocked it up with his right foot and volleyed home with his left. A great goal to leave Walsall 1 - 0 in front at half time.