Walsall 1 Bolton 0 - Report and pictures

A goal from Jason McCarthy won the points for Jon Whitney's side who had to contend with Joe Edwards being harshly sent off after just 16 minutes.

But the decision galvanised both the team and Saddlers supporters – with McCarthy then putting his side ahead when he bundled home a free-kick.

From that point on, Walsall out-thought and out-fought their opponents who began the game with an unbeaten record in League One.

Outstanding performances from Kieron Morris, Erhun Oztumer and goalkeeper Neil Etheridge – who made two world-class saves – made sure they clinched the points they deserved.

With Bolton then seeing sub Keshi Anderson sent off in stoppage time for two yellow cards.

Before kick-off, Walsall fans were boosted by the news James O'Connor had recovered from a hamstring strain to take his place at the heart of defence.

It meant Whitney shuffled his back-four, with Jason McCarthy switching to right-back and Joe Edwards moving into central midfield to partner Adam Chambers in a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Both sides looked dangerous in the opening 15 minutes with Edwards bright in his more advanced role and Oztumer happy spraying pinpoint balls all over the park.

Bolton were the first to truly threaten with James Henry whipping in a cross and Jamie Proctor producing a smart header that lopped onto the top of Neil Etheridge's bar.

But the game's big talking point arrived in the 16^th minute when Edwards was giving his marching orders for what referee Trevor Kettle deemed to be an elbow on Andy Taylor.

While Edwards did jump with his elbow raised, there appeared no intent to hurt his opponent.

The decision outraged Saddlers fans and led to a hostile and cauldron-like atmosphere building inside the Banks's Stadium.

Walsall though, with their fans behind them, were galvanized and they took the lead when Oztumer's free-kick was bundled into the net by McCarthy.

Bolton hit back within seconds and saw Lewis Buxton's header spectacularly cleared off the line by Andreas Makris.

Walsall though had a grit between their teeth, with Kieron Morris and Oztumer outstanding as the team bravely defended its goal with two banks of four.

That organisation ensured Bolton were static and lacking in ideas, with the Saddlers looking just as dangerous as Parkinson's side as the half-time whistle blew.

It wasn't until an hour into the game that the Trotters really began to make their numerical advantage tell.

And yet Parkinson's side still seemed reluctant to get the ball into wide areas and really test Walsall's full-backs.

They almost pulled level when David Wheater powerfully headed at goal from a corner, but Etheridge produced a spectacular diving stop to deny the defender.

In the position they found themselves in, the Saddlers needed their keeper at his best.

And the Philippines international responded with what can only be described as a world-class a save when he kept out a Proctor strike that looked destined to nestle into the bottom left corner.

Bolton peppered balls into the Saddlers box for the final 20 minutes.

But with Morris, Oztumer and Simeon Jackson doing everything they could to win the ball high up the pitch and Chambers and O'Connor imperious – Walsall held on for a fantastic and hugely deserved three points.

Position in the table

League One: 15th