Charlton 1 Walsall 0 - match analysis

Defeats rarely include silver linings. If they do they are empty gestures, designed to placate and paper over the cracks.

But yesterday, while they may have lost 1-0 at title-chasing Charlton, Walsall inched closer to League One safety. The silver linings were golden.

It is odd to laud a defeat but the nature of it, coupled with the bigger picture, puts the Saddlers on course for survival.

Dany N'Guessan's first-half goal put the Addicks on the brink of a Championship return yet, once the dust has settled, Easter Monday will become a more seminal moment in Walsall's season.

With four games left they are four points clear of the drop zone with a vastly superior goal difference.

Results are paramount at this stage of the season and while defeat at The Valley was disappointing results elsewhere were key to a happy Easter.

Wycombe's crushing 4-0 defeat to Chesterfield and Leyton Orient's 3-0 reverse at Exeter leaves the pair enviously looking up at the 19th placed Saddlers.

The O's – level on points with Walsall – are in freefall having lost six of their last seven games and the Chairboys shattered by a devastating defeat.

Everything is in the Saddlers' hands just when they need it.

And it was no surprise Dean Smith kept faith with the men who edged out Chesterfield 3-2 on Saturday.

But they were immediately under pressure and David Grof saved from N'Guessan inside 40 seconds as the Addicks went for the jugular.

Grof tipped over Jackson's rising drive as Walsall rode the storm and Florent Cuvelier shot wide before Ben Hamer turned Alex Nicholls' superb 20-yard effort over.

The Saddlers settled and began to exert their own authority, silencing the half-full Valley who had arrived to watch a procession.

That it was not going to be but the Addicks did claim a fortunate winner against the run of play on 35 minutes.

Jackson swung in a free kick from the right and Grof came but was beaten by N'Guessan whose header bounced into an empty net.

It was a regrettable episode for the shot-stopper who has done much to ease the worries over the heir to Jimmy Walker's goalkeeping throne when the veteran retires.

But Grof, or the Saddlers, didn't buckle. The expected Charlton onslaught never came and aside from half chances for Bradley Wright-Phillips and Yann Kermorgant the visitors remained comfortable.

And they were in the ascendancy after the break – once Grof had claimed Wright-Phillips low effort – as the Addicks struggled.

Jon Macken almost capitalised on Hamer's error but was too wide and Lee Beevers saw his effort correctly ruled out for offside.

The Saddlers were more precise with their passing, more determined and more controlled. The excellent Cuvelier and Sam Mantom refused to be over-awed in the middle to enhance their growing reputations.

The Addicks spluttered, struggling to find a rhythm and their jitters at the back were a constant source of hope for the Saddlers.

There was undeniable tension from both the stands and the Charlton players as the hosts ran down the clock.

Emmanuel Ledesma almost found a way through in stoppage time but Hamer saved low and the hosts' relief at the final whistle was palpable.

On this evidence Charlton will claim the title but Walsall will also clinch survival.

By Nick Mashiter