A brace from Ryan Jarvis fired Walsall to a deserved first away win of the season at Bournemouth.

The striker netted his first goal for the club from the spot on 15 minutes, before crashing in a header 10 minutes after the break.

Jarvis, released by Leyton Orient in the summer, was only starting after an ankle injury ruled two-goal Jon Macken out of the trip.

The Saddlers were well worth their win although had to rely on Darryl Westlake’s early goal-line clearance to thwart Shaun MacDonald.

Manager Dean Smith made four changes, including Jarvis, while handing David Grof a debut in goal with Jimmy Walker’s partner about to give birth.

Adam Chambers was recalled for Anton Peterlin after suspension and Manny Smith replaced Oliver Lancashire.

But the Saddlers almost fell behind within the first two minutes, but Westlake denied MacDonald a debut goal by clearing the midfielder’s shot off the line.

Steve Lovell then drilled just wide after Liam Feeney had opened the visitors up, but the Saddlers shocked the hosts by taking the lead on 15 minutes.

Mat Sadler burst into the box on the left and his cross was handled by Feeney, allowing Jarvis to send goalkeeper Darryl Flahavan the wrong way from the spot.

It gave Walsall renewed confidence and Richard Taundry and Westlake fired wide from long-range.

The sting had been taken out of the Cherries, who lost to Albion 4-1 in the Carling Cup on Tuesday, with Walsall finding their feet.

But Grof had to be alert to deny Adam Barrett, after the Cherries captain escaped the Saddlers’ defence at a corner just after the half hour.

The goalkeeper then beat Marc Pugh to Feeney’s cross and denied Harry Arter in first-half injury time.

Kevan Hurst fired over as the Saddlers begun the second period brightly and they doubled their lead on 55 minutes.

Hurst swung in a corner from the left and Jarvis rose to nod in across Flahavan from five yards.

The Saddlers deserved their second and went for the kill, as Hurst was twice denied by the sprawling Flahavan.

Bournemouth offered little with Walsall eminently comfortable through their two goal lead and Taundry almost made it three, when his 25-yard drive flew over on 67 minutes.

Hurst, who looked dangerous all game, headed wide from substitute Alex Nicholls’ cross, as the Saddlers easily contained their hosts.

Grof was relatively untroubled and the Saddlers could have had a third, but Will Grigg’s cross flashed across the face of goal with five minutes remaining.