Walsall 1 Preston North End 0

Ten-man Walsall claimed their first home league win since the opening day of the season after a superb resilient display against Preston.

Alex Nicholls' second goal in two games won it for the hosts who withstood heavy Preston pressure after Dave Martin was controversially sent off with 20 minutes remaining.

The Derby loanee picked up his second booking for what looked like a fair challenge on Paul Coutts after an earlier yellow card.

But the Saddlers refused to buckle and collected just their third win in League One this term.

Nicholls replaced Ryan Jarvis and immediately offered the Saddlers an outlet they lacked during an eight-game winless streak leading up to the game.

Kevan Hurst and Anton Peterlin carved out the first chance for Nicholls after eight minutes but the striker's shot was blocked.

But he had to wait just two more minutes to open his account for the afternoon in spectacular style.

Hurst's stunning throughball found Nicholls and the striker turned the struggling Brian McLean and curled a superb effort into the top corner from 16-yards.

Will Grigg turned Darryl Westlake's cross wide a minute later as the vibrant Saddlers took the game to their high-flying visitors.

The early goal settled any Saddlers' nerves and, with Preston rocking, the hosts relaxed and a played controlled, composed game.

But Neil Mellor, who had already headed off target, should have levelled on 28 minutes when he nodded over, unmarked, from three yards after Jamie Proctor glanced into his path.

Hurst and Peterlin fired wide from distance as the Saddlers responded but the hosts had to ride out severe Preston pressure at the end of the first half.

The visitors couldn't penetrate though, despite their swagger, and suffered a further blow in first-half injury time when Mellor limped off after Chambers, who was booked, brought him down.

Keammar Daley replaced the ex-Liverpool striker while Danny Mayor came on for Ian Ashbee at the break.

But the changes did little to help Preston as the Saddlers frustrated their attempts to pierce the home backline.

Plenty of possession but little punch, the Lilywhites enjoyed an extended spell of second-half pressure but failed to test Jimmy Walker.

Yet the Saddlers survived a big penalty shout just before the hour when Proctor's knockdown struck Westlake's arm.

Walsall were rattled and lacked their first-half composure and, although Nicholls earlier fired over just after the break, struggled to create.

It was suddenly a bit hit and hope from the hosts as they defended deep but Hurst almost bagged a second against the run of play on 66 minutes when Barry Nicholson hacked his drive off the line.

But the Saddlers were rocked when Martin was dismissed after picking up his second booking for a foul on Coutts on 70 minutes.

The winger looked to have won the ball but referee Sheldrake, who done little to endear himself to either side, produced a second card.

Despite their man advantage though, Preston failed to seriously test the organised Saddlers who responded well to the Lilywhite's pressure.

Playing on the break, they even wasted two chances to make the game safe when Hurst and Nicholls failed to pick out the right option.

Daley's 87^th minute free kick was deflected over by Mat Sadler as the Saddlers held on for a priceless win.