Scunthorpe 0 Walsall 1 - match analysis

There are moments which define seasons and careers. Walsall have just experienced another one.

They knew the scrutiny they faced and the magnitude of the result, whatever the outcome, before they stepped onto the Scunthorpe turf.

It has been a fire-fight for Dean Smith so far this season. The manager had been using watering cans for wild fires as the Saddlers keep their heads above the League One water. But last night he got out the hose and doused the flames.

It was a win so vital it could have far reaching consequences for both teams. The complexion of the table has shifted and it is now advantage Walsall.

A Scunthorpe win would have put them six points clear of the Saddlers with a game in hand. Now it is Walsall who have stolen the march to edge out of the relegation zone.

It will only count at the end of the season but the psychological boost of being free of the bottom four is priceless.

Losing simply wasn't an option last night. A win over fellow strugglers Wycombe had bought time but Scunthorpe couldn't have been allowed to pull clear.

And under Smith Walsall have previous when it comes to delivering the goods when most needed and they did yet again – recording their first back-to-back league wins since August 2010.

And it is because they have gone with the Flo. Little Belgian bombshell Florent Cuvelier's goal won it to mark the extension of his loan deal from Stoke until the end of the season.

It is now two goals in three starts for the diminutive midfielder who has added much-needed enthusiasm to the Saddlers' engine room.

Before arriving at Walsall he had yet to play a senior game but is now one of the main driving forces behind their survival fight.

And he brought the best out of Adam Chambers with the Trojan midfielder battling through a badly cut ankle to excel in the centre.

He led by example but his efforts may cost him a place at Preston on Saturday with the ex-Albion man now a major doubt.

He was joined by Richard Taundry and the defence – whose contribution this season has never been in doubt – as they excelled.

Taundry's switch to right-back – and Kevan Hurst's return to the left – has afforded the Saddlers more balance.

There is a natural order in the team now and the last two results show it is working.

But the job is not over as consecutive away games at Preston and Leyton Orient loom. One loss and they could be back in the drop zone.

There have been too many false dawns this season and with even the most optimistic Walsall fan a pessimist at heart they must now go and convince again.

Smith kept faith with the starting XI from the weekend win – resisting the temptation to hand George Bowerman and Jon Macken a spot after their pivotal roles.

The Saddlers enjoyed a solid opening without seriously threatening before the Iron found joy on the flanks with Walsall forced to defend a number of crosses.

Garry Thompson volleyed over for the hosts while Cuvelier was also off target as the sides traded early chances.

But there was little to separate them, the lack in quality and confidence an obvious trait.

The Saddlers, again, offered little in the final third despite the hesitancy of the Scunthorpe defence – before being gifted the winner on 34 minutes.

Sam Slocombe's poor clearance wasn't dealt with by the hosts' back four and Cuvelier pounced to dart through and slide under the goalkeeper from 16-yards.

It was a class finish and gave the Saddlers a platform, one which they almost lost immediately when O'Connor's volley flew wide.

Rattled, the Iron came close again through Thompson before David Grof smothered at Jon Parkin's feet.

And the goalkeeper denied the big striker again eight minutes after the break when he scuffed his guilt-edged chance straight at the Hungarian from six-yards after Sam Togwell and Mark Duffy combined.

The Saddlers were ragged with Scunthorpe roused and Andy Butler was lucky to escape a second yellow for pulling back Parkin just after the hour.

Substitute Jon Macken fired straight at Slocombe and Paterson forced the keeper into a stretching stop from a free kick in muted Walsall forays forward.

Despite Scunthorpe's pressure, though, Walsall refused to buckle as the impressive Grof saved from Walker and O'Connor.

And from then the Iron wilted, Walsall grew stronger and could have doubled the lead had Cuvelier taken a late chance when sent through.

But he had already won the game and taken his moment. With 15 games left there will be plenty more.

By Nick Mashiter