Walsall 1 Leeds 2 - analysis

It's a division where the fallen come to rest, while those who await look to pick them off and win some extra spurs along the way.

Walsall almost earned those spurs last night as they proved they can match the so-called big teams in the league.

Whatever teams have achieved or won in the past means absolute squat in the fight to escape a division which is rapidly become the toughest in the country.

In terms of fanbase, facilities and history, these two teams shouldn't be on the same planet. But on the same pitch the Saddlers showed they can go toe-to-toe with more illustrious opponents.

A similar performance against Charlton, a team with another 100 per cent record, on Saturday is needed. Although it's all well and good putting in the work but at some point there has to be reward.

Those rewards were missing against Leeds after late heartbreak courtesy of Bradley Johnson and Jermaine Beckford.

Walsall had stolen the lead through Sam Parkin's 79th minute penalty after successfully frustrating the visitors.

Leeds hadn't won in their two previous trips to the Banks's and, as the 80th minute ticked by last night, it seemed they were going to extend that unhappy run, despite dominating possession and the chances column. But Johnson and then Beckford struck to highlight the class gap between the two sides.

The difference was minimal but, sadly for the Saddlers, there was a difference. Leeds showed a touch of class, eventually, which their hosts didn't have on the night.

Leeds created enough chances and, as the dejected Chris Hutchings conceded, they were always likely to put some of them away.

It was a harsh lesson to learn from but learn the Saddlers must. Twice in the closing minutes they switched off, allowing Johnson a free header and letting Beckford work a yard of space.

The other 80-odd minutes they defended superbly, halting Leeds' progress whenever they moved forward.

Aside from the goals there was a ruthless nature at the back, a take no prisoners approach, which has been lacking too often from their play.

Manny Smith and Mark Hughes were imperious, although it helped that Leeds played to their strengths by tossing long balls towards the box in the first half. The defensive duo excelled and were ably assisted by the under-pressure Clayton Ince as the stopper returned to form.

The Saddlers keeper kept his place – despite his aberration against Southend on Saturday – as did Darryl Westlake, the 18-year-old confining Rhys Weston to the bench after an impressive debut against the Shrimpers.

The hosts had a home hoodoo over Leeds – unbeaten at the Banks's since United's relegation to the third tier in 2007 – and the visitors quickly set out to rectify that fact.

Unsurprisingly, Beckford was the first to threaten as he ran on to Johnson's header before Smith's timely intervention.

The early sharpness of Leeds would have worried Saddlers chief Hutchings. The hosts were continually on the back foot as Ince stopped Jonathan Howson's low drive before Leeds conjured the first clear chance.

Johnson found space and crossed, Beckford stretched – as did Ince – and the stopper produced an excellent save to tip the ball on to the post after 16 minutes. An early goal would have been just reward for their pressure.

With Beckford and Luciano Becchio the visitors have two of the most feared strikers in the division but they struggled to make inroads against Hughes and Smith.

What the Saddlers' back four lacks in pace they make up for in strength and organisation.

The Saddlers countered and Parkin went down under Rui Marques' challenge as he burst through but referee Taylor ignored his pleas for a foul.

Leeds resumed where they left off after the break as Beckford headed Jason Crowe's cross straight at Ince 90 seconds in.

But still there was a steely resolve from the Saddlers – who were beginning to see more of the ball. The game was now far more open as both teams became stretched.

As the game entered its final 15 minutes Beckford finally escaped the attentions of Hughes after Andy Robinson's excellent through ball but his instinctive volley fell wide of the post.

But, as Leeds continued to squander their slim territorial advantage, there was a growing sense the Saddlers could steal something.

And on 79 minutes they did.

Troy Deeney's superb control and pass set Steve Jones away and he teased Marques into chopping him down in the area. Parkin duly stepped up and hammered in his second penalty in four days.

The joy was short-lived though as, with seven minutes to go, Johnson ghosted in at the far post to power in Robinson's corner.

Three minutes later Beckford won it as he turned Smith and fired a delightful 20-yard curling effort past Ince.

And that's the thing. Reputations might count for nothing but goals do.

By Nick Mashiter.