Walsall 2-1 Swindon player ratings: Two 8s in Saddlers' opening day win

Never really stretched by Swindon although he was forced into two routine saves by Will Wright and Harry Smith. No clean sheet but a promising debut.

Rico Browne (Guilty) - 6

Did fairly well on league debut until he was penalised for pulling down Smith inside the box before Swindon's leveller in what Mat Sadler described as an "outrageous decision".

Aden Flint (Leader) - 8

Given the armband on his debut against his former club and was a commanding force in the centre of the back-line. Solid in the air and organised the defence well.

Evan Weir (Stunner) - 7

Cracked an absolute beauty into the top corner with his eighth minute free-kick but was outmuscled by Aaron Drinan in the build-up to Brandon Comley's sending off. Otherwise played well.

Brandon Comley (Sent off) - 4

Comley's afternoon was ended prematurely after he was shown a straight red card for cynically hauling down last-man Drinan. 

Connor Barrett (Composed) - 7

Got through some great work defensively and scored the decider in stoppage time with a composed finish into the bottom corner.

Jamie Jellis (Good) - 7

Provided Barrett with great defensive cover with a number of recovery runs and was replaced by Courtney Clarke midway into the second half.

Charlie Lakin (Unsung) - 8

Never stopped running all afternoon and made a crucial intervention inside the box when Jake Tabor fed a low cross into Harry Smith.

Mason Hancock (Strong) - 7

Rarely had the chance to break forward, especially after the red card, but defended his own penalty area excellently with a handful of big clearances.

Jonny Stuttle (Unlucky) - 6

Pressed Swindon into an early mistake and was foiled one-on-one by Connor Ripley, before he had to be sacrificed once Walsall were reduced to 10-men.

Aaron Pressley (Battled) - 7

It was a battle of attrition for the towering centre-forward once Walsall went down to 10. He had to make the best out of scraps and had twice the workload in the press as the sole striker.

Subs 

Lewis Warrington (for Comley, 23) - 6

Decent - Made his debut from the bench earlier than expected and screened the defence well amid growing pressure from Swindon. Not afraid to snap into a tackle and could be expected to cover for Comley during his suspension.

Courtney Clarke (for Jellis, 67) - 7

Promising - Looked dangerous when he embarked on a solo run through the centre of the park and he crowned his appearance from the bench with an assist for Barrett.

Albert Adomah (for Pressley, 67) - 6

Put in the legwork for the closing stages, as Sadler used his substitutions wisely to keep Walsall fresh for the climax. 

Priestley Farquharson (for Hancock, 87)

A late cameo from the bench as he made his first competitive appearance in almost a year.

Jake Hollman (for Lakin, 87) 

Made his debut from the bench after arriving from A-League side Macarthur FC earlier this week.