Walsall 2 Millwall 1 - Report and pictures

Analysis

Goals from Simeon Jackson and Franck Moussa – either side of a Fred Onyedinma header – secured a crucial win for the Saddlers that lifts them up to 16th in League One and out the relegation zone.

After losing 4-1 at home to Scunthorpe on Tuesday, Whitney had demanded a response for his players heading into the game.

And the boss got it with his team defending resolutely to keep the Lion's at bay, particularly in the second half.

Centre-backs James O'Connor and Kevin Toner shone at the heart of the defence while there were also impressive performances from Jackson and Scott Laird who worked tirelessly throughout.

But in truth, all the Saddlers players played their part, in a moral boosting win that saw Whitney's side leapfrog their opponents in the table.

In naming his starting line-up, boss Whitney made three changes to the team that crashed to defeat against Scunthorpe.

On-loan Scott Laird, ineligible against his parent club, came straight back into the side at left-back while there were also recalls in midfield for George Dobson and Franck Moussa.

It meant Saddlers switched to a 4-4-1-1 formation that saw Erhun Oztumer push up alongside Jackson whenever possible to make a more traditional 4-4-2.

The Lions began the game on the front foot with Neil Harris's side forcing a succession of early corners and seeing Steve Morison scuff wide when well placed inside the opening 10 minutes.

And they almost took the lead in spectacular fashion when Adam Chambers gave away foul on the half-way line.

Shaun Williams stood over the set-piece and clipped an audacious 50-yard effort with caught out Neil Etheridge but cannoned back off the cross-bar.

Walsall response was immediate and they took the lead with their first clear chance of the game.

Kieron Morris' cross was nodded into the path of Jackson by Moussa with the striker then smashing home from close range.

The lead though lasted just six minutes, with Millwall getting back on terms when Onyedinma met a fine Mahlon Romeo cross to powerfully head beyond Etheridge from six-yards.

From that point on, the half became cagey and congested with the ball spending a lot of time in the middle of the park as both teams struggled for width.

Walsall came flying out the traps at the start of the second half and re-took the lead in the 49th minute.

Laird's cross was flicked towards goal by Jackson only for Archer to produce a diving save to parry the ball away.

But Moussa was in the right place at the right time to side-foot the ball into the net, for his first goal in Saddlers colours.

Millwall should have equalised immediately when Gregory went through one-on-one only for Etheridge to make a brilliant save at the striker's feet.

The early stages of the second half had proved an entertaining affair. But as the clock ticked towards the 70 minute mark it was the visitors who were on top as Walsall began to sit deeper and deeper.

Whitney responded by switching Moussa for Maz Kouhyar. Liam Kinsella then replaced Dobson.

But Walsall continued to play out the closing stages sitting deepl with O'Connor and Toner particularly defending well.

The Lions came close to pulling level with five minutes remain when a dipping, curling Gregory strike sailed inches wide from 20-yards.

But the Saddlers saw out the closing stages excellently with the likes of Morris, Oztumer and late sub Andreas Makris giving everything to haul their team forward and clinch three crucial points.

Key moments

9 - Morison drags a strike wide from 12-yards after seeing an initial effort blocked by Chambers

12 - Williams from inside his own half looks to chip Etheridge from a free-kick and hits the bar.

17 – Goal Walsall. Morris' cross is knocked down by Moussa into the path of Jackson who smashes home from close range

23- Goal Millwall. Onyedinma powerfully heads in Romeo's cross

27 – Walsall shout for a penalty. Jackson latches onto a ball forward with Webster appearing to handle it. Ref waves away protests

37 – Ferguson's whipped in cross is powerfully headed wide by an unmarked Webster

39 - Good double save from Archer who saves Morris' effort from distance before then blocking Jackson's follow up

49 – Goal Walsall. Laird's cross, flicked towards goal by Jackson. Archer keeps that out by Moussa is there to fire home

54 - Gregory goes through one-on-one only for Etheridge to make a brilliant save at the striker's feet

87 – A dipping, curling strike from Gregory sails wide from 20-yards.

Man of the Match

James O'Connor

Position in the table

16th - up 5

Teams

Walsall: Etheridge, McCarthy, O'Connor, Toner, Laird, Dobson (Kinsella 83), Chambers, Morris, Oztumer, Moussa (Kouhyar 73), Jackson (Makris 90).

Subs not used: MacGillivray, Preston, Ginnelly, Makris, Bakayoko

Millwall: Archer, Martin (Wylde 81), Craig, Williams, Greogry, Onyedinma (Philpotat 90), Romeo, Webster, Ferguson, Morison, Abdou (Thompson 74).

Subs not used: King, Wylde, Nelson, Butcher, Twardek