The second half was a mirror image of the first, in many ways, as the central midfield again struggled to cope and to keep possession, which just left the strikers isolated.

At the back, however, Westwood and Dann were outstanding and continued their task of making the Bristol Rovers attack look very ordinary indeed.

Chances were few and far between in the second 45, for both sides, but, having taken both of their chances in the first half, Walsall, as the away side, didn’t have to do any more.

Bristol Rovers had far more of the possession, however, and a better team might have punsihed us, as the saddlers did sit a little too far back. That said, Ince was still not really troubled until a minute into injury time, when Sandell hit one home from 20 yards.

The overall impression from the ground was that this was not a very good performance by the lads. It was, however, three more away points, which took the saddlers back to the top of the League.

Richard Money suprised everyone at the Memorial Ground this afternoon, according to the Fat Controller, by not keeping the team that did so well against Bolton on Tuesday.

Out went Craig Pead and in came Scott Dann, with Westwood moving to right back. The Saddlers, therefore, lined up:-

WALSALL: Clayton Ince, Scott Dann, Chris Westwood, Mark Wright, Ian Roper, Daniel Fox, Michael Dobson, Dean Keates, Kris Taylor, Martin Butler, Hector Sam

Subs: Craig Pead, Tony Bedeau, Carlos Fangueiro, Ishmel Demontagnac, Rene Gilmartin

Whatever DDs plans were, they were soon changed when Roper seemed to go over on the ankle he injured making a block on Tuesday night. He was replaced by Pead, with Westwood moving to centre back.

Scott Dann, however, soon proved his worth, when a free kick was launched into the Bristol Rovers penalty area from the centre circle. The home ‘keeper came, didn’t get there and Dann got a back header in to score his third of the season.

The rest of the half saw the home team get plenty of possession, as the central midfield of Keates and Dobson just failed to work properly. It was to no avail for Rovers, though, as Westwood and Dann were absolutely outstanding, repelling everything thrown at them.

Wright showed some nice touches and Butler and Sam were their usual busy selves, though and the Pirates looked in trouble from almost every set piece.

Eventually, an inswinging corner was met by Danny Fox with a bullet header which gave the ‘keeper no chance.

Half time: Bristol Rovers 0 Walsall 2.