Sunderland 2 Walsall 1 - Report and pictures

And ex-Saddlers striker WIll Grigg proved to be the difference after Walsall slipped to a 2-1 defeat at Sunderland.

In what was a spirited display by Dean Keates’ side, the visitors took the lead after just four minutes when Josh Gordon cheekily flicked in a cross from George Dobson.

The Saddlers should have doubled their advantage on the half-hour when Zeli Ismail raced past two defenders only to then see a strike saved by Jon McLaughlin.

And the miss proved to be costly with Lee Cattermole pulling The Black Cats level just three minutes later.

The second half again proved to be an even and entertaining affair. But Grigg proved to be the difference with the striker finding the bottom corner with a wonderful finishing from 20-yards.

With Shrewsbury scoring a stoppage time penalty, the result at the Stadium of Light saw Walsall drop into the League One relegation zone - albeit with eight games still to play.

Analysis

Boss Keates made one change from the team that was unfortunate to slip to defeat against Portsmouth when naming his starting line-up.

Despite having top scorer Andy Cook back from suspension, Corey Blackett-Taylor made his first Saddlers start with Morgan Ferrier the man to make way.

It meant Cook had to make do with a place on the subs bench with Walsall lining up in a 4-3-3 formation that saw Blackett-Taylor and Ismail operate either side of Josh Gordon.

Sunderland lined up in a 4-2-3-1 system that saw ex-Saddler Will Grigg lead the line. Max Power operated in the number 10 role with Aiden McGeady on the left and Lewis Morgan on the right.

Despite entering the game as underdogs, it was Walsall who flew out the blocks with Keates’ men scoring a wonderful goal to open the scoring in the fourth minute.

After winning a free-kick on the corner of the 18-yard box, George Dobson whipped a cross right into the danger area.

And Gordon, with the delivery slightly behind him, then produced an outrageous piece of skill to flick the ball past Jon McLaughlin and into the net.

The Saddlers had started really well but they survived a scare in the 14th minute when a game of pinball took place in their box.

Eventually the ball was turned home but the referee spotted a foul - seemingly on Jon Guthrie - and ruled it out.

The Saddlers responded and came close to doubling their lead just 60 seconds later.

Ismail did well to hit the byline before cutting the ball back to Joe Edwards who was well-placed eight-yards out.

And the midfielder then hit a powerful low drive that was expertly blocked by a sliding Tom Flanagan.

Keates’ men were playing well both with and without the ball but as the clock ticked past the 20 minute the Black Cats began to enjoy a spell of pressure with Morgan at the heart of the action.

First the Celtic loanee saw a rasping drive from 20-yards beaten away by Liam Roberts.

The Scotsman then fired wide after collecting a cut-back from McGeady inside the box.

In what was now proving an open and entertaining game, Walsall had a glorious chance to extend their lead on the half-hour.

Ismail did wonderfully well to go past two defenders before entering the box and seeing rasping drive beaten away by McLaughlin.

The winger though kept the move alive and sent in a cross which Gordon flicked towards goal only for Luke O’Nien block the effort.

The deflection almost fell for Blackett-Taylor but another defender stepped into make a crucial clearance just yards from line.

That chance proved to be the defining moment of the first-half with Sunderland pulling level just three minutes later.

After a forcing a corner, the ball dropped to Cattermole and from the tightest of angles the midfielder squeezed a strike past Roberts and into the net.

It was Sunderland who threatened first following the re-start with Grant Leadbitter curling a strike from 20-yards just inches past the post.

Walsall continued to move the ball well but Sunderland then threatened again when McGeady saw a strike from 20-yards parried away by a diving Roberts.

From the resultant corner, Power glanced a header narrowly over the bar.

Sunderland switched Lynden Gooch for Cattermole just past the hour mark. Denver Hume then replaced Adam Matthews.

It was their substitution in the 71st minute though that helped turn the game in their favour.

Charlie Wyke replaced Morgan and just a few seconds later the former Bradford man did well to find Grigg.

And the former Saddlers striker then darted at goal before calmly sliding the ball into the corner from 18-yards.

Keates responded with Cook replacing Blackett-Taylor. With five minutes to go, Aramide Oteh then came on for Edwards.

And in the closing stages they pushed and pushed for an equaliser, often they were frustarted by the Black Cats who defended superbly.

But in stoppage time, Walsall did get one more chance when Ismail sent in a cross from the right.

The ball fell for Gordon who hit a half-volley towards goal. But the strike was well blocked by Flanagan.

Teams

Sunderland: McLaughlin, Matthews (Hune 66), Flanagan, Baldwin, O’Nien, Cattermole (Gooch 62), Leadbitter, Morgan, Power, McGeady, Grigg.

Subs not used: Ruiter, McGeough, Wyke, Sterling, Dunne.

Walsall: Roberts, Leahy, Guthrie, Scarr, Devlin, Dobson, Kinsella, Edwards (Oteh 88), Blackett-Taylor (Cook 72), Gordon, Ismail.

Subs not used: Dunn, Laird, Fitzwater, Norman, Osbourne.