Walsall 1 Grimsby Town 3 - Report and pictures

In front of 4,812 fans, the Saddlers took a first-half lead when Caolan Lavery fired in from close range after Elijah Adebayo had seen a shot saved.

But Grimsby levelled just before the break through Elliott Whitehouse.

James Hanson - who has haunted the Saddlers in recent years - then netted twice after the interval, with one coming from the penalty spot.

The result leaves Walsall sat 21st in League Two, with their only win of the campaign having come on the opening day at Northampton.

REPORT

With his team having struggled to create chances in recent weeks, manager Darrell Clarke decided to mix things up for the visit of the Mariners.

Ditching the 3-5-2 system used in all six of Walsall’s previous games, the boss opted for a 4-4-2 formation with Rory Holden and James Hardy coming into the side on the wings

Up front, Elijah Adebayo Lavery, while in defence James Clarke moved from centre-back to right-back.

Grimsby, who lined up in a 4-3-3 system, included ex-Saddler Jordan Cook in central midfield.

Moses Ogbu operated just behind James Hanson and Matt Gree in the front three.

In what proved to be a blistering start to the match, Walsall opened the score in just the fifth minute.

After initially collecting the ball in the channel, Holden burst into the box before picking out Adebayo with a low cross.

But while the former Fulham man saw his shot saved by James McKeown, Lavery was on hand to fire in from close range.

To Grimsby’s credit, they didn’t let the goal affect them and only an outstanding stop from Liam Roberts prevented them from pulling level moments later.

Following a cross from the left, Green powered a header towards the top corner.

But at full-stretch, Roberts produced a spectacular diving stop to push the ball over the crossbar.

In what was proving a thoroughly entertaining encounter, Walsall were looking a lot more lively in possession.

And they should have doubled their advantage when Holden darted into the box before tricking his way past a defender.

On the angle, the winger then looked to drill a strike into the top corner - but agonizingly the effort sailed just past the upright.

With the game continuing to be open, Hanson saw a shot from the edge of the box claimed by Roberts.

Elliott Whitehouse then looped a header over the bar just 10-yards from goal.

Shortly before the break though, the Mariners did pull level when Roberts failed to punch clear a corner.

And that meant Whitehouse was then able to effectively head the ball into an empty net.

It was the Saddlers who started the second half on the front foot with a heavy spell of pressure ending with Holden seeing a fizzing strike beaten away by McKeown.

Just before the hour mark Clarke made his first change with Josh Gordon replacing Lavery.

Despite Dan Scarr powering a header over from a corner, Walsall had a spell where they dominated possession but created very little as the clock ticked towards the 70 minute mark.

And they suddenly found themselves behind when Hanson - who has terrorised the Saddlers in recent years - powered in a header following Green’s pin-point delivery.

Walsall responded with Holden curling a free-kick from the edge of the box inches.

Clarke then opted to make a double change with Wes McDonald and Danny Guthrie replacing Hardy and Mat Sadler.

And they almost pulled level seconds later when Guthrie’s corner was flicked towards goal by Gordon but McKeown produced a diving stop to keep the ball out.

In the 81st minute though, Grimsby put the game to bed after they were given a fortunate penalty.

A poor touch from Guthrie allowed Hanson to take the ball into the box with Pring then appearing to shoulder-barge him off the ball.

But referee David Rock judged the defender had committed a foul and pointed to the spot - with Hanson dusting himself down to fire in.

TEAMS

Walsall: Roberts, Pring, Sadler (McDonald 75), Scarr, Clarke, Hardy (Guthrie 75), Sinclair, Liddle, Holden, Lavery (Gordon 59), Adebayo.

Subs not used: Rose, Norman, Jules, Kinsella.

Grimsby: McKeown, Hendrie, Ohman, Waterfall, Hewitt, Ogbu (Gibson 78), Cook (Wright 69), Hessenthaler, Whitehouse, Green (Pollock 83), Hanson.

Subs not used: Russell,, Cardwell, Vernam, Ring.