Walsall 0 Bury 1 - Report and pictures

A Craig Jones goal, inside the opening 10 minutes, was enough to clinch victory for Dave Flitcroft's side on a hugely frustrating afternoon for Saddlers' fans.

Despite seeing a lot of the ball, Walsall struggled to break down the Shakers who were happy to sit back and soak up pressure for long spells.

The result, which was very harsh on the Saddlers, means the dreaded Manager of the Month curse has struck once again, with Walsall losing the game after Smith was presented with the award yesterday.

Tinkerman Smith continued with his policy of changing personnel and formation on a game by game basis by making five changes from the side that lost at Morecambe.

In came Paul Downing, Romaine Sawyers, Anthony Forde, Rico Henry and Reece Flanagan as the boss switched back to a 3-5-2 system.

There was no place in the match-day squad for new recruit Isaiah Osbourne, who was presented to the Banks's crowd before kick-off.

For Bury, ex Wolves frontman Leon Clarke overcame a hamstring strain to start up front. It meant fellow forward Tom Pope was only amongst the substitutes.

Walsall, looking to continue their outstanding start to the season, came flying out of the traps and had their first shot on target inside the opening minute.

After Bradshaw was tripped on the edge of the box, Forde sent the resultant free-kick around the wall but it was too close to Rob Lainton in the Bury goal.

The game has started in frantic fashion with Dave Flitcroft's side soon looking threatening in and around the Saddlers' box. And they took the lead on six minutes through a fine Craig Jones goal.

Chris Hussey's brilliant cross field ball was weighted perfectly to find the run of Jones. The winger made no mistake by flashing an outstanding strike into the bottom corner.

Walsall responded with Forde seeing a wonderful whipped in ball headed clear, before Flanagan fired wide from 20-yards.

Both sides were now looking lively, but with the Saddlers needing to move the ball a little quicker in the final third.

With Smith barking orders from the touchline, they came close to getting back on level terms when Sam Mantom hit a brilliant drive from 25-yards that produced a flying save from Lainton.

The Saddlers were growing in stature but all too often were seeing moves break down in the final third. They were fired a warning shot as the game approached the half-hour mark as Bury broke at pace.

Jones did well to get to the by-line and cut the ball back to the on-rushing Mayor who saw a half-volley well-blocked by Downing.

But, as the half drew to a close, it was the Saddlers who were looking more and more threatening.

A lofted Henry cross was just nipped clear by defender Peter Clarke as Bradshaw stood waiting. O'Connor then met a deep Sawyers delivery which needed to be pushed clear by Lainton.

The goalkeeper was in the thick of the action again moments later, Sawyers hitting a fierce drive from 20-yards which the glovesman got down well to beat away.

After a slow start, Smith's side had closed the half as the better side. The second period began in a cagey fashion with both teams struggling to create any clear cut chances.

But the Saddlers greater urgency returned as the clock ticked towards the hour mark, with Mantom again forcing Lainton into action with another fine strike from distance.

Moments later and the home side again came a whisker away, after Bradshaw showed all his tenacity to force a corner on the left side.

Forde's whipped in delivery was met with a glancing header by Downing but his effort was spectacularly cleared on the line by the head of a diving Clarke.

Smith responded by making a double change. Jordan Cook and Kieron Morris coming on for Flanagan and Forde.

Bury were more than happy to defend deep and try and soak up all the Walsall pressure.

And with chances continuing to prove hard to come by, Milan Lalkovic was introduced for skipper Adam Chambers.

The former Chelsea man was immediately into the thick of the action. Winning and then taking a free-kick on the left which Cook flicked wide.

Bury created their first chance of the half with a little over five minutes remaining. Substitutes Pope and Danny Pugh combing in the box before the latter scrambled the ball wide.

But as the game drew to a close, it was only Walsall who were showing any attacking threat. First Bradshaw fired over after controlling the ball well on the edge of the box.

Then, with the fourth official indicating four minutes of stoppage time, Bury almost pressed the self-destruct button.

A whipped in cross was turned towards his own goal Tom Soares with Lainton forced into a spectacular stop to keep the ball from crossing the line.

Cook and Bradshaw dashed in to try and tap home the loose ball, but it was the keeper who reaction quickest to earn a first league win of the season for his side.