Walsall 0 Port Vale 1 - Report and pictures
Walsall saw their four game unbeaten run ended as Tom Pope's header gave Port Vale victory.
The striker headed home just before the half hour mark to decide a closely fought game at the Banks's Stadium.
His goal came just minutes after the Saddlers felt they should have been awarded a spot-kick when Jordy Hiwula tumbled in the box.
Romaine Sawyers also hit the posts for the hosts, who could find no way through, as Vale kept their first clean sheet since November 15.
After a run of games where the Saddlers seemed to have cracked their troubles in front of goal, they were left frustrated where they rather huffed and puffed in attack, particularly in the second half.
However, much focus will undoubtedly fall on referee Andy D'Urso's decision not to award a penalty to the hosts with the game goal-less.
That came when Hiwula appeared to be pulled down in the box with just goalkeeper Chris Neal to beat.
Saddlers boss Dean Smith was forced into just one change from the team which beat Rochdale 3-2 on Tuesday, as a groin strain forced Anthony Forde to miss out.
He was replaced out wide by James Baxendale, with Jordan Cook fit enough to take his position on the opposite flank.
The two almost combined to give the Saddlers an early lead but Cook's cross was just too high for Baxendale at the far post.
Goals: Pope 28.
Walsall (4-2-3-1): O'Donnell, Purkiss, Downing, O'Connor, Taylor, A Chambers (c), Cain (Murphy 80), Baxendale (Grimes 54), Sawyers, Cook, Hiwula (Henry 74).
Substitutes not used: MacGillivray (GK), Preston, Flanagan, Kinsella.
Port Vale (4-4-2): Neal, Veseli, Robertson, Inniss, Dickinson (c), Brown (Lines 46), Moore, O'Connor, Marshall (Birchall 90), Williamson (O'Sullivan 84), Pope.
Substitutes not used: Johnson (GK), Yates, McGivern, Luer.
Referee: Andy D'Urso (Essex)
Sawyers had the first effort on goal from either side just past the quarter hour mark when he controlled Cook's low cross but his shot was straight at visiting goalkeeper Neal.
The arrived a moment of controversy as, after being fed by Sawyers, Hiwula tumbled in the box under the challenge of Vale debutant Ryan Inniss.
A penalty award would likely have also meant a red card for the defender and changed the course of what was to come but referee D'Urso opted to wave play on.
Smith looked less than impressed on the touchline and his mood only soured furthe.
Goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell saved from Ben Williamson, Pope headed home Dickinson's cross despite the home side protesting he had fouled Andy Taylor at the far post.
The Saddlers looked for a swift response and Sawyers almost provided with a drive from the edge of the box which struck the base of the post, Cook sending the rebound straight at Neal.
They went closer still early in the second period when Sawyers sent Hiwula through but his chip over Neal landed the wrong side of the post.
Vale were looking dangerous from set pieces and there were nervy moments in the home box. after O'Donnell could only parry a deflected Michael O'Connor free-kick back into the danger zone.
Pope was a constant threat in the air and directed another header straight at the home custodian, after out jumping O'Connor.
It was the visitors best spell of the game and O'Donnell was again called into action to keep out Byron Moore's low drive at the near post, as Vale pushed for the second.
The Saddlers were able to withstand the pressure but found chances hard to come by. Sawyers was presented with a half chance when a deflected Cook free-kick fell to him at the far post but saw his shot blocked.
Adam Chambers also shot over from distance, while Taylor had a free-kick comfortably saved by Neal.
In stoppage time, Cook saw a deflected shot gathered by Neal at the second attempt.
