Walsall stretched their unbeaten run to four games thanks to Steve Jones’ predatory strike against Brentford at Griffin Park.

Ben Strevens gave the hosts an early lead as the Saddlers struggled, before Jones bagged his fifth goal in six games midway through the second half.

Mark Bradley and Matt Richards went close to a winner while John Bostock had a late header disallowed for offside but the drab contest rarely reached third gear.

The Saddlers named an unchanged line-up for the third successive game as they aimed to continue their fine form and keep on the tails of the play-offs.

Brentford handed Ipswich loanee Pim Balkesten his debut in defence while on-loan Arsenal keeper Wojciech Szczesny also made his bow.

The visitors started well, forcing two early corners, but Manny Smith’s slip allowed Charlie MacDonald a fifth minute opening and Clayton Ince saved well.

Buoyed by the chance the Bees started to press and took lead on 11 minutes when Strevens was left unmarked at the far post to nod in Myles Weston’s cross.

Fresh from three clean sheets in their last four outings it was poor defending from the Saddlers and Ince had to be alert two minutes later to save Bostock’s fierce drive.

The Saddlers were second best but Szczesny denied Darren Byfield and Troy Deeney in quick succession in the 22nd minute.

It was a brief respite as the Bees tried to pick holes in a sluggish visiting backline. The Saddlers had relied on too many last ditch tackles to get out of trouble and were losing the midfield battle.

Matt Richards saw a free-kick deflect wide but Brentford were comfortable against the disjointed Saddlers.

The visitors needed a second half of purpose to fight back and Deeney screwed a shot wide 60 seconds after the re-start.

It was a marked improvement from the first 45 minutes but the Saddlers were unable to break down a well drilled Brentford outfit.

That was until the 67th minute when Jones capitalised on woeful Bees defending.

The hosts allowed the ball to bounce and the winger arrived from deep to drill past Szczesny from eight yards.

The goal was a bolt from the blue but it gave the Saddlers renewed confidence.

Richards whistled a free-kick wide while Bostock’s 85th minute header was ruled out for offside as the spoils were shared.