Close

MK Dons 0-1 Walsall - report: Back-to-back wins for Saddlers in League Two

Walsall made it back-to-back wins after ending MK Dons' unbeaten start with a 1-0 victory in Buckinghamshire.

By George Bennett
Published
Last updated
Supporting image for story: MK Dons 0-1 Walsall - report: Back-to-back wins for Saddlers in League Two
Charlie Lakin celebrates his 52nd-minute strike for Walsall at MK Dons.

Lakin scored the match-winner seven minutes after the restart when his low strike from just outside the box deflected into the far corner. 

The Walsall midfielder came close twice during the first half, but Myles Roberts produced two important saves to deny Nathaniel Mendez-Laing and Alex Gilbey. 

Those crucial stops also preserved a second successive clean sheet for the Saddlers for the first time in the league in 2025.

Analysis

Daniel Kanu made his first Walsall start, replacing Albert Adomah in the only change from their 1-0 win over Salford City last weekend.

Walsall had the better of the play during the first half an hour and also had the two best opportunities, both from Lakin. 

Jon Mellish blocks a cross from Walsall wing-back Connor Barrett.
Jon Mellish blocks a cross from Walsall wing-back Connor Barrett.

Kanu motored down the left and his low cross was scuffed into the path of Lakin. The midfielder shot first time but former Saddlers goalkeeper Craig MacGillivray produced an excellent finger tip save.

Lakin came close for the second time in quick succession when he flashed a half-volley over from Evan Weir's knockdown. 

Weir had been struggling with an early knock and had to be replaced by Priestley Farquharson at the midway point of the first half.

Sadler had to reshuffle his defence with Farquharson deployed on the right and Harrison Burke shifting over to left centre-back.

It took Walsall time to readjust after Weir went off and they survived a couple of sloppy moments towards the end of the half. 

Callum Paterson was inches away from giving his side the lead when he stabbed wide on the stretch just after the restart. 

Charlie Lakin after scoring his first goal of the season for Walsall.
Charlie Lakin after scoring his first goal of the season for Walsall.

But Walsall hit the front when Lakin's deflected effort into the bottom corner provided the finishing touches to a sweeping Saddlers attack. 

Farquharson started the move from deep and Pressley played a key role, picking the ball up in space to feed Lakin. He took aim from 20 yards out and MacGillivray was rooted to his spot as the ball nestled into his left-hand bottom corner. 

Walsall had to survive a mini-storm after taking the lead and Aden Flint's defensive knowhow came to the fore during a period of sustained pressure from the hosts. 

Sadler sensibly withdrew Vincent Harper just past the hour-mark after he escaped a second booking for a foul on Rushian Hepburn-Murphy.

Goalkeeper Roberts produced a crucial stop, extending his right leg to keep out Mendez-Laing's low close-range volley from Gilbey's pinpoint cross.

Brandon Comley and Albert Adomah came on to steady the ship for the closing stages, but Roberts had to prove his worth again late on, beating away Gilbey's fearsome shot from distance.

Next, Walsall travel to Croud Meadow to face local rivals Shrewsbury Town in the EFL Trophy, before hosting Chesterfield in the league at Bescot on Saturday.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Burke, Flint, Weir (Farquharson 28); Warrington (Comley 78); Barrett, Jellis (Finnigan 46), Lakin, Harper (Clarke 62); Kanu (Adomah 78), Pressley.

Not used: Hornby, Matt.

MK Dons (4-3-3): MacGillivray; Mellish (Leko 84), Ekpiteta, Sanders, Offord (Lemonheigh-Evans 88); Collar (Crowley 69), Kelly, Gilbey; Hepburn-Murphy (Nemane 69), Patterson, Mendez-Laing.

Not used: Trueman, Thompson, Waller.

Referee: Sam Mulhall

Attendance: 7,261 (859)