Walsall 1 MK Dons 0

Dean Holden's first Walsall goal sealed an impressive victory for the Saddlers over MK Dons.

The defender netted the winner after 15 minutes as Dean Smith's men stretched their unbeaten run in League One to four games.

Ben Purkiss cleared off the line from Dean Bowditch – who also hit the post – in the first half but the Saddlers held firm for a deserved win which lifts them to ninth in the early table.

James Baxendale replaced Will Grigg, on international duty with Northern Ireland, in the only change from the 2-2 draw with Brentford.

Jamie Paterson had already fired over when the Saddlers had a strong penalty claim turned down after six minutes when Antony Kay seemed to block Bowerman's goal-bound drive with his arms.

Their pleas were dismissed and they were indebted to Purkiss after 12 minutes when the right-back came to the rescue.

David Grof spilled a long punt under pressure from Ryan Lowe and the ball rolled to Bowditch whose effort was cleared off the line by the covering Purkiss.

Three minutes later the Saddlers struck first on when Holden connected with Paterson's corner at the far post and squeezed his shot past Darren Potter on the line.

The Dons almost hit back instantly though when Grof palmed Luke Chadwick's drive away before Bowditch slammed an effort against the post.

The high tempo to the game continued but with little threat to either goal as the Saddlers comfortably held off any marauding Dons attacks.

And the visitors would have been relieved when Paterson shot over after goalkeeper David Martin went AWOL three minutes before the break.

The keeper had charged out to beat Bowerman to Florent Cuvelier's throughball but only left himself stranded mid-way inside his own half after Baxendale stole the ball and found Paterson.

Lowe fired over in first-half injury time and Daniel Powell tested Grof immediately after the re-start.

It was a sign the Saddlers would have to ride the second half out as the visitors went searching for an equaliser they never found.

The superb Andy Butler and Holden stood firm at the back with Grof growing in confidence.

The Saddlers refused to ditch their passing game but couldn't find a killer second as Paterson dragged a shot wide, Ashley Hemmings blasted a free kick over and Butler headed at Martin.

Powell's deflected effort kissed the top of the bar with 12 minutes left and Jay O'Shea blazed a volley over.

The Dons kept pressing and Grof saved low from Alan Smith in stoppage time as Walsall claimed their first home league win of the season.