Analysis of Walsall 2 Stockport 0

Yet as long as the flashes of inspiration continue to occur every now and then, there will be a degree of hope amid the general apathy that has descended upon the Banks's Stadium.

Saturday was not rousing. It was not especially entertaining. But it was successful as Stockport were sent packing, ultimately well beaten.

There was just enough magic in the boots of Chris Hutchings' dual match-winners to keep the optimists among the faithful dreaming of an unlikely success on the field.

If Hutchings can keep Steve Jones and Darren Byfield fit and firing, the Saddlers will always be capable of turning a scrappy, battling stalemate into a narrow win.

That is probably their best hope of emerging with credit from the gaggle of similar clubs scuffling around the middle ground of a tight League One.

Should the duo lose fitness or form, Hutchings' men and their supporters could well begin glancing nervously behind them at the relegation skirmish they currently hope they can avoid completely.

Because, on the evidence of Saturday's solid win over a struggling Stockport, the remainder of Hutchings' hard-working side can be effective foot-soldiers for the potentially explosive Jones-Byfield axis.

Whether the side can find inspiration in the battlefields of League One without the pair is open to question.

There was much to commend Hutchings' side at the weekend, from the fabulous late save from goalkeeper Clayton Ince to the industrious line-leading from ever-willing forward Troy Deeney.

In front of Ince there was young Manny Smith, whose latest display of absolute commitment and strength was another one in the eye for those of us who saw him as a raw youth team teenager and doubted his ability to make the professional grade.

In the heart of midfield, Dwayne Mattis and Mark Bradley shed gallons of sweat, making tackles and winning headers attempting to compensate for the lack of a genuine playmaker at the heart of Hutchings' side.

Yet, while the majority of the side is equipped to fight every inch of the way, it is missing the 'X-factor' to turn perspiration into inspiration.

That is where Jones and Byfield come in. Because the experienced pair proved once again on Saturday that they have the talents to use the platform laid by their team-mates as a base to display their own talents. Both have performed at a level higher than League One.

And that is why their availability could well prove crucial to the success or failure of this campaign.

Neither completed Saturday's game without below-par periods. Byfield vanished for 25 minutes before half-time, while Jones was staved of possession for half an hour immediately after the break.

But it was their skills that separated the Saddlers from a Hatters side that worked just as hard but lacked the individual talent that ultimately ensured a home win.

Jones's confidence and fleet-footed dribbling provided a cutting edge and ultimately lured the free-kick, from which Matt Richards scored his fine first Saddlers goal.

Byfield's hard-work, clever movement and sure touch asked constant questions of the visiting defenders and eventually allowed him to make sure of maximum points with a trademark second-half finish.

The striker could have fired the home side ahead in the opening seconds with a moment of vision, picking up a loose ball after a Bradley tackle and spotting goalkeeper Owain Fon Williams out of position before bending an instinctive shot a fraction wide.

For much of the first half the Saddlers made the running, only for their visitors to enjoy a larger share of the half-chances that came and went as they attempted to prosper on the break.

Nicholas Bignall twice sent efforts wide in the opening stages while Peter Thompson fired straight at Ince, before chipping wide after a mis-hit clearance by the goalkeeper.

But Jones always looked dangerous wide on the right and, when he cut inside and was halted crudely by Adam Griffin, Richards had the chance to display his skills.

One free-kick had already deflected off the wall and caused panic in the goalmouth. The second one, on 37 minutes, zipped over the wall and dipped into the top corner.

The second half almost began with a second goal, as Deeney swapped passes with Byfield and hammered a shot at the near post but Fon Williams made a smart save. But the lead was doubled 11 minutes after the restart when the strike duo capitalised on the best move of the match.

Bradley got the benefit of a favourable decision after a crunching tackle in midfield and Mattis picked up the pieces to feed Deeney. He kept his composure impressively to pick out Byfield, who ran clear and clipped a stylish finish past Fon Williams.

Stockport produced a spirited response but a combination of their profligacy and Ince's brilliance preserved the Saddlers' clean sheet. First came a fabulous chance for Bignall, who arrived to meet a pull-back from Thompson, unmarked and at close range, only to see his left-footed shot fly wide of the target.

Then Ince intervened, thrusting out a decisive left hand to turn away a powerful shot from substitute and recent Albion trialist Oli Johnson after he had tricked his way past a flat-footed Netan Sansara.

Jones had a chance to add a third goal in the closing moments when he collected a lay-off from Deeney and headed for goal, only to see his cross-shot drift beyond the far post. It was a reminder that, even for Jones and his fellow match-changer, nothing will come easy as the chilly winter rough and tumble approaches.

But without the pair, things would be a damned sight harder for the team they hope to inspire.

By Steve Madeley