Walsall 2 Port Vale 0 - Report and pictures

[gallery]

Two goals from Jordan Cook ensured Walsall began the Sean O'Driscoll era in fairy tale fashion with a 2-0 win over Port Vale.more

The Saddlers moved up to second in League One after Cook netted twice following his introduction as a second half sub.

But as well as the striker, O'Driscoll will also take his share of the plaudits after switching the Saddlers to an unfamiliar 4-4-2 formation following a lacklustre first half.

And in a game where chances proved to be few and far between for both sides, that proved to be the catalyst to see Walsall earn a crucial three points.

O'Driscoll confirmed at his unveiling on Friday that he would be leaving team selection down to coaches Jon Whitney, John Ward and Neil Cutler following their success while in caretaker charge.

And the trio sprung a surprise by switching Milan Lalkovic from his usual position on the wing to a loan striker role.

It meant the Saddlers lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with Anthony Forde and Kieron Morris the widemen and striker Cook only amongst the substitutes.

Tom Bradshaw and Rico Henry continued to miss out through injury. For Vale, there was a first return to the Banks's for former Saddler Ben Purkiss.

Despite being desperate to impress their new boss, Walsall got off to a shaky start and were lucky not to find themselves a goal down inside three minutes.

A free-kick on the right was headed goalwards by Ryan McGiven but his tame effort was spilled by Neil Etheridge allowing Richard Duffy to tap home the loose ball.

Fortunately for Saddlers fans, the Vale skipper was judged to be in an offside position with the fourth-official promptly raising his flag.

The Saddlers hot back with Lalkovic beating the offside trap and galloping in on goal only to see his strike from an acute angle hit the side netting.

Having appeared to shake-off their lacklustre start, Walsall began passing the ball around crisply and were soon enjoying a lot of possession in and around the Vale box.

But it was the visitors who threatened next with Duffy again rising highest from a free-kick but this time heading wide.

Buoyed, Vale continued to press and the lively Sam Kelly forced Etheridge into a full-stretch save with a fine strike from 25-yards.

Walsall responded as the clock ticked past the half-hour mark with some patient build-up play resulting in Sawyers drilling an effort inches past the post.

But clear cut chances were proving few and far between for both sides and the teams made their way off at the break with Walsall having shaded the half but without deserving to be ahead.

It was the visitors who threatened first after the interval – top scorer AJ Leitch-Smith turning in the box and hitting a low drive towards the bottom corner with Etheridge palmed away.

With the game continuing to lack any spark, O'Driscoll made his first change just before the hour mark with Cook coming on for Morris.

The switch saw Walsall move to a traditional 4-4-2 with Cook joining Lalkovic up front.

It was the first time the Saddlers had used the system all season, but it proved to be an inspired move by O'Driscoll with the home side taking the lead minutes later with Cook the man on target.

Forde hit a rasping drive from 25-yards which Jak Alnwick could only parry with Cook reacting quickest to tap home from close range.

Buoyed, the Saddlers went in search of a second with Evans hitting a delicious strike from distance which whistled just over the bar.

Moments later, Walsall again came close to doubling their advantage when Cook carried the ball into the box and teed up Forde.

The winger seemed to have the goal at his mercy but Alnwick spread himself brilliantly to block his effort from just six-yards.

Determined to get themselves back into the game, Vale enjoyed some heavy pressure around the Walsall box which ended when Leitch-Smith saw a shot well blocked by Adam Chambers.

But with five minutes remaining, Walsall put the game to bed with Cook grabbing his second of the game.

After the ball had bobbled around the Vale box, it eventually fell to the striker who, now full of confidence, wrapped his boot around it to curl an unstoppable strike into the corner.