Walsall 0 Yeovil 1

Walsall sank to the bottom of League One after defeat to Yeovil left boss Chris Hutchings' job hanging by a thread.

Goalkeeper Jonny Brain rescued the Saddlers twice, before Adam Virgo's towering header 20 minutes from time condemned the hosts to their sixth home defeat of the season.

They are now winless in eight games and fans chanted for Hutchings' removal with the manager on the brink.

The Saddlers boss named an unchanged line-up for the third successive game, as they searched for their first win since mid-August.

But Walsall started poorly and Gavin Williams curled just over after only 90 seconds, following a neat move on Yeovil's right which picked the Saddlers apart.

The on-loan Bristol City midfielder then popped a 20-yard free-kick over in a scrappy opening which Yeovil edged.

The Saddlers had yet to find any rhythm – in complete contrast to a Yeovil side whose football belied their lowly position in League One.

Ryan McGivern's fizzing cross briefly troubled away goalkeeper Stephen Henderson, but the hosts survived two close calls after 21 minutes.

Former Walsall loan player Sam Williams danced past three flimsy challenges, with only McGivern's midriff stopping a certain goal, and 60 seconds later Brain made an instinctive save as the former Villa youngster threatened again.

The urgency which the Saddlers so desperately needed at home was lacking, but they almost bagged a fortuitous opener when Reuben Reid glanced Jonathan Macken's deep cross wide on 35 minutes.

Dean Bowditch's audacious chip almost caught Brain out, as the Saddlers continued to struggle.

There was little cohesion or flow and – as against Leyton Orient on Tuesday – had Yeovil been more clinical there would have been little but pride to play for.

The simple fact was the Glover visitors were superior in every department, as muted boos greeted the half time whistle.

Yeovil started where they left off when Brain beat away Bowditch's free kick, but the Saddlers were denied three times in quick succession after 47 minutes.

Matt Richards' free-kick was saved by Henderson, who then parried Nicholls' follow-up before Macken's drive deflected wide.

Suddenly the Saddlers were alive and Macken's shot on the turn flew over, before Reid missed his kick with the goal gaping.

But on 55 minutes Owain Tudur-Jones put Shaun MacDonald clear and, when Brain saved, Bowditch skied the rebound.

It was only a brief respite, however, as the visitors took the lead after 70 minutes when Gavin Williams' deep free-kick found Virgo and his crashing header nestled in the top corner.

Williams almost piled on the agony but headed over four minutes later and then should have had a penalty, when Clayton McDonald tripped him five minutes from time.

Macken's cross-shot deflected wide as the game entered injury time but there was no way back – and the Saddlers are in crisis.