Walsall 2 Wycombe 1

Julian Gray's spectacular strike capped a home win for nervy Walsall but they were made to work hard by struggling Wycombe.

The winger curled in from 20 yards for his third goal in three games after Manny Smith headed the Saddlers into an early lead. Adam Hinshelwood's late strike gave the Chairboys a lifeline but the hosts held on.

Mark Hughes returned for Walsall after his three match suspension as Netan Sansara made way – allowing Jamie Vincent to switch to left-back. Alex Nicholls replaced the suspended Troy Deeney – who also misses Saturday's visit of Tranmere because his dismissal at Stockport was his second of the season.

And it was Nicholls who tested goalkeeper Tom Heaton after 37 seconds but the Manchester United loanee was able to gather easily.

Jon-Paul Pittman had the Saddlers sweating after six minutes but shot wide after a quick breakaway but a minute later the hosts took the lead.

Gray swung in a corner from the right and Smith arrived at the far post to power in a header for his second goal of the season.

It was just the start the Saddlers needed and they doubled their lead with a peach of a strike on 23 minutes.

Darren Byfield broke down the left, found Nicholls who in-turn fed Gray for the winger to curl a glorious 20-yard effort in off the post.

The confidence suddenly began to flow from the hosts – Gray in particular – but they were indebted to goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin on 33 minutes.

Kevin McLeod delivered a perfect cross for the unmarked Gareth Ainsworth, but Gilmartin thwarted the former Walsall loanee with a stunning block.

The stopper was at it again eight minutes later – this time saving from Pittman before Vincent mopped up ahead of the lurking Stuart Beavon.

Danny Bloomfield fired a warning shot over a minute after the break, while Steve Jones flashed one wide at the second attempt on 55 minutes.

The Saddlers needed a third to kill off their plucky visitors and Jones almost obliged but drilled straight at Heaton.

Wycombe had started to dominate possession but Nicholls almost grabbed a third after charging down Heaton's clearance and the ball flew wide.

But the Chairboys grabbed a lifeline with 12 minutes remaining when the Saddlers failed to deal with a long throw and Hinshelwood nipped in ahead of Gilmartin to prod into the corner.

The goal lifted Wycombe as the Saddlers sat deeper and deeper and Gilmartin plucked Lewis Montrose's effort out of the air on 85 minutes.

The hosts' nerves were far too evident and only some last ditch defending stopped Ainsworth in his tracks before Byfield scuffed straight at Heaton, as the Saddlers claimed the win.