Analysis of Walsall 0 Yeovil 1

Predictably predictable, one wonders at what point we should stop being surprised.

Hopes were raised and dashed in consecutive games as Walsall proved once again they lack that elusive extra gear.

Defeat against a Yeovil side with just two away wins this season prior to their Banks's visit mock the fact the Saddlers have won at Leeds and Bristol Rovers this month.

They cannot embrace anything but mid-table on nights like this but there is the bigger picture to worry about.

The crowd dropped under 3,000 in the league for the first time this season – the lowest league gate at the Banks's Stadium since 1997.

Despite wins at Leeds and Bristol Rovers the home 'faithful' seem determined to stay away.

Granted, a cold Tuesday night against Yeovil isn't a crowd pleaser but recent results must surely tempt a few back.

The hardy 147 from the West Country barely boosted a gate of 2,929 and the distance, weather and nature of the game must all be taken into account.

But this was on a night where none of the other West Midlands teams were playing, clubs which are so often blamed for keeping Walsall's attendance down.

Wolves, Villa, Birmingham and Albion are held responsible for taking much needed support away from the Saddlers, rightly so on some counts, but last night we saw the cold hard truth about the dwindling Walsall fanbase.

Disillusion is rife. To say they don't care would be an overstatement because the majority would sweat blood for the club but something has to change.

They can put aside their grievances and return or the club could change hands, neither of which is likely in the near future.

It is therefore a testament to the management and players that they have managed to keep pace with the top 10.

Last night there were 19 games in the Football League and only Cheltenham, Bury, Aldershot and Hereford attracted lower crowds - and two of them are at the wrong end of League Two.

How boss Chris Hutchings and his staff can even fathom mounting a serious promotion charge beggars belief and it's only through their hard work the Saddlers are ninth in League One.

The manager has stated he can only work with what he has and sub-3,000 gives him little room for manoeuvre.

An extra player here and there would have made the difference against an average Yeovil side.

They were certainly no better than the Saddlers and had it not been for Clayton Ince's early howler it could have been a different story.

Ince has made gaffes this season. Southend, Wycombe, Norwich and now Yeovil have all benefitted from the keeper's error of judgement.

And questions are naturally raised about the 37-year-old's capabilities but he is still the best option.

The staff have been pleased with Rene Gilmartin's progress this season – after all, he kept his rival out of the team earlier in the season – and he is heir apparent.

The Irishman has improved from the raw youngster he was but Ince is still the better stopper – for now.

The Trinidad international is entering the twilight of his career and should the errors continue then Hutchings will have no qualms in thrusting Gilmartin back into the limelight.

But the boss was forced into two changes last night with Josh O'Keefe getting the nod to replace the injured Dwayne Mattis while Manny Smith came in for Darryl Westlake, out with a calf strain.

The Saddlers were looking to make it three successive wins – something they have only achieved once under Hutchings – but any gameplan went out the window five minutes in.

Ince had already denied Dean Bowditch inside the first 30 seconds before the Saddlers conceded a calamitous goal.

Sam Williams initially missed Gavin Tomlin's ball and when Ince spilled the cross the former Saddlers loanee poked the ball in, despite lying on the ground.

As starts go it could have been better with the subdued hosts struggling to cope with the Glovers' sharpness.

O'Keefe fired wide as the Saddlers tried to rally but Yeovil continued to look dangerous, forcing their hosts into several rushed clearances.

As an attacking force Walsall were nonexistent, the lack of urgency their undoing, and despite seeing more of the ball there was little penetration as time and again the hosts wasted possession.

Richard Taundry was doing his best to drive the team forward but his team-mates didn't share his enthusiasm.

The Saddlers were too eager to hit the frontmen and needed more nous.

The midfield were being comprehensively outplayed with Owain Tudor Jones running the show for the Glovers - who were increasingly comfortable.

JP Kalala had Ince scrambling three minutes before the break before the stopper produced an even better save when Shaun McDonald's drive deflected off O'Keefe.

The Saddlers needed a rousing second half after failing to test Yeovil keeper Alex McCarthy in the opening 45 minutes.

But it was another nervy start as Clayton McDonald's sliced clearance was luckily straight at Ince before Williams missed a golden chance to double his tally on 55 minutes.

Dean Bowditch beat Matt Richards and when Ince parried his effort Williams could only lift the ball over from six yards.

It was a massive let-off for the Saddlers who were doing little to suggest they could rescue the game.

McDonald's goalsaving challenge halted the on rushing Bowditch before Ince's acrobatics thwarted Williams.

Deeney hooked one over while Bowditch dragged one wide but the game slipped away from the Saddlers to leave you wondering which way they will turn next.

By Nick Mashiter.