Walsall 1 Dagenham & Redbridge 0

Will Grigg came off the bench to give Walsall's League One survival hopes a boost with a winner against fellow relegation candidates Dagenham & Redbridge.

The Saddlers had been the better side for the entire match at the Banks's Stadium but seemed incapable of capitalising on their dominance and were guilty of missing several chances.

But Northern Ireland under-21 international Grigg, who had only been on the pitch for seven minutes, showed the composure required to calmly stroke the ball home nine minutes from time.

After a subdued start it was Walsall who carved out the first real chance in the 12th minute, when Jon Macken unleashed a low shot which beat goalkeeper Tony Roberts but whistled past the post.

The veteran striker had another chance in the 18th minute after neat build-up play involving Matt Richards and Richard Taundry, but Macken could only curl his shot wide of the post.

Walsall continued to dominate the chances with Taundry causing havoc down the right flank and Roberts had to be alert to parry a Richards shot from the edge of the penalty.

Dagenham continued to look dangerous on the counter attack and forced a number of corners but Saddlers goalkeeper James Walker was in confident mood and comfortably claimed several crosses.

It was Walsall's turn to counter in the 32nd minute and the lively Julian Gray left Dagenham right-bank Abu Ogogo trailing in his wake after breaking down the left wing.

Gray cut the ball back to into the path of Richards who had made a late run in the penalty area, but the midfielder dwelled on the ball too long and saw his shot blocked by Scott Doe.

Another Walsall attack yielded a great chance for Taundry in the 35th minute, after he was picked out by Gray, but he saw he attempted to side foot the ball past Roberts from close range and saw his shot cleared off the line.

Walsall continued to dominate after the half-time break but yet again they were unable to put away their chances, with Macken guilty of missing a superb chance in the 53rd minute.

Alex Nicholls showed great pace to break free to the Dagenham defence and to pick out Macken with a superb pass, but the Saddlers forward placed his shot straight at Roberts.

Dagenham had a rare foray into the Walsall half in the 65th minute and Andy Butler had to alert to check the run of Bas Savage and clear to safety.

Darryl Westlake then missed arguably the best chance of the game up to that point,when he was picked out at the back post with a cross from Gray.

The Saddlers full-back only had to ease the ball home from inside the six-yard box, but he somehow managed to lift the ball over the crossbar when it was easier to score.

Gray then had a chance of his own, lashing a shot with the outside of his boot from the left edge of the penalty area but his attempt went over the bar.

Walsall's pressure finally told in the 81st minute when substitute Grigg provided the kind of quality finishing that had been missing all night.

Gill threaded the ball into the feet of Macken to lay it into the path of Grigg, who calmly swept the ball past Roberts from just inside the penalty area.

Dagenham pressed for an equaliser and Aaron Lescott cleared a Savage shot off the line, but Walsall held on to claim three valuable points.