Adam Chambers’ debut goal handed Walsall the perfect start as the midfielder returned to haunt Leyton Orient.

Chambers smashed in a 30-yard rocket mid-way through the first half to mark his Saddlers debut after his summer switch from Brisbane Road.

Walsall bossed the first-half and Claude Gnakpa, Will Grigg and Jon Macken all went close before Orient fought back after the break.

Goalkeeper Jimmy Walker saved well from three Jimmy Smith headers and the Saddlers survived late pressure to open their League One campaign in style.

Chambers, Gnakpa, Kevan Hurst and Mat Sadler were handed debuts while fellow new-boys Ryan Jarvis and goalkeeper David Grof made the bench.

And just two of the team – Richard Taundry and Oliver Lancashire – started last season’s opening day defeat to Milton Keynes Dons.

But the Saddlers brushed off the lack of continuity, after Jimmy Smith rifled a sighter over, and took control of the half.

The hosts fashioned their first chance after 12 minutes when neat work from Chambers, Hurst and Gnakpa eventually found Grigg whose low effort deflected wide.

Strong in the tackle and vibrant going forward, the hosts continued to threaten but Gnakpa should have done better than to scuff straight at Lee Butcher from eight yards.

The signs were there, though, and Walsall’s perseverance paid off on 21 minutes when Chambers unleashed an unstoppable effort from 30-yards which arrowed into the top corner.

Chambers had scored just 10 goals in 195 games for Orient and the strike rewarded his early and determined efforts.

The goal briefly woke Orient from their slumber and Ben Chorley’s header drifted wide, but it was of little concern to the Saddlers.

Gnakpa had Butcher scrambling when his delightful chip angled towards goal five minutes before the break while Macken’s 20-yard volley dipped over, as the Saddlers comfortably closed out the half.

Walsall felt they should have had a penalty five minutes after the re-start, when Darryl Westlake’s cross struck Charlie Daniels’ arm but their appeals were waved away.

But there were warning signs Orient had been given a half-time dressing down as Walker twice denied Smith’s headers – the second a fine instinctive stop.

Walker’s personal duel with the former Chelsea youngster continued when, at full stretch, the goalkeeper tipped another header over just after the hour.

The gritty Saddlers struggled to find their rhythm and debutant Jarvis, another former Orient man, replaced Grigg on 66 minutes.

Orient continued to press, but the outstanding Andy Butler and Oliver Lancashire held firm for opening day victory.