Matt Richards’ stunning double handed Walsall a vital win as they came from behind to beat Carlisle.

The midfielder’s long-range brace cancelled out Mike Grella’s opener, as the Saddlers produced a gritty display for their first League One victory in six games.

Grella had lashed in after goalkeeper Jimmy Walker saved from Frankie Simek, before the Saddlers hit back through Richards’ 37^th minute free-kick.

The former Ipswich man then drilled in the winner from 18-yards seven minutes after the break.

The Saddlers remain bottom but closed the gap to safety to five points ahead of Tuesday’s trip to Sheffield Wednesday.

Andy Butler replaced Manny Smith – ending the defender’s ever-present run this season – for his home debut while the fit-again Jonathan Macken returned for Liam Dickinson.

Reuben Reid and Butler slashed wastefully wide, in an opening where neither side got a grip on the game.

Carlisle had won their last four in all competitions, but failed to demonstrate their play-off potential while the Saddlers were markedly improved from Tuesday’s win over Fleetwood.

However, Butler was relieved when referee Brendan Malone waved away Gary Madine’s penalty protests on 15 minutes, after the debutant bundled the striker over.

Visiting goalkeeper Adam Collin then claimed Alex Nicholls’ low drive during a scrappy period.

But, after 26 minutes, the visitors took the lead despite the best efforts of Walker.

Francois Zoko found space and fed Simek steaming in to the area, his shot was superbly saved by Walker but the ball fell to Grella who lashed in from 12-yards.

It was a goal of worrying simplicity and again highlighted the Saddlers’ fragility at the back.

The hosts tried to get forward but their touch let them down when they needed it most, as they laboured under the weight of a deficit.

Yet, out of the blue, they levelled on 37 minutes when Macken was felled and Richards curled in a stunning 25-yard free kick.

The midfielder, pointedly, didn’t celebrate but it raised the hosts’ tempo and James Chester almost turned in Paul Marshall’s free kick just before the break.

And the Saddlers started the second half like a train, as Richards bagged the winner after 53 minutes.

The hosts won another free-kick on the edge of the area and, when Richard Taundry laid the ball off, Richards drilled into the bottom corner from 18-yards.

Carlisle had paid for their sloppiness since opening the scoring, but Walsall had taken full advantage with a determined display.

It wasn’t vintage, but they had their noses ahead and survived a scare when Madine’s instinctive shot hit the post after 65 minutes.

Butler almost made it 3-1 after 68 minutes, powering Darryl Westlake’s deep free-kick wide before Walker’s save from Ben Marshall kept the Saddlers ahead.

The hosts – marshalled by the excellent Butler – were keeping the disappointing Cumbrians at bay and substitute Will Grigg saw his close-range effort smothered by Collin.

The striker should have tapped in Dickinson’s cross in injury time, but the Saddlers held out for a priceless win.