Walsall 0 Cambridge United 2 - Report and pictures

The hosts made the worst possible start when Liam Kinsella hastily fouled Luke Hannant in the box after eight minutes. In-form striker Paul Mullin scored, despite goalkeeper Liam Roberts getting a hand to the ball.

Walsall never made a dent in a resilient U’s defence during a disappointing first half.

In the second period, although the Saddlers saw much more of the ball, they failed to create anything meaningful and were forced into unsuccessful long balls.

In the final 10 minutes, Hayden White, who had struggled all game, was adjudged to have handled the ball in the box - resulting in referee Anthony Backhouse again pointing to the spot.

With Mullin off the field, Joe Ironside stepped up and confidently found the bottom corner to win the game for Cambridge.

The loss was Walsall’s first after a run of 13 unbeaten in the league.

Darrell Clarke made four changes to the side that drew 2-2 with Barrow at the weekend, returning to a 4-2-3-1 formation.

White, Rory Holden, Danny Guthrie and Wes McDonald came in. Holden was not involved against Barrow due to injury, while Guthrie captained the side due to James Clarke’s injury, which he picked up at the weekend.

Cameron Norman, Alfie Bates and Emmanuel Osadebe dropped to the bench.

Mark Bonner also made four changes to his Cambridge side, starting in a 4-4-2 formation.

Star striker Mullin, who has scored 11 goals in as many games in all competitions this season, started up front.

Despite the hosts starting brightly and looking comfortable, Cambridge took the lead after eight minutes. A rash challenge from Kinsella on Hannant handed Mullin the chance from the spot.

The striker made no mistake and tucked away his penalty, despite Roberts getting a hand to the ball.

Following the goal, Cambridge continued to dominate the game as Mullin narrowly headed over. The Saddlers resulted to long balls over the top as they struggled to break down the organised Cambridge defence.

The U’s were opening Walsall up with some nice passing phases of play and Walsall had to rely on Roberts to keep them in it when he saved superbly from a powerful back post shot from Hannant.

A promising Saddlers counter attack, after Kinsella won it in midfield, saw McDonald have an effort blocked before Guthrie’s shot was blasted high and wide.

There was a lengthy stoppage towards the end of the half as Adam May took a heavy bash to the head, but the midfielder was able to continue.

A dangerous free-kick went begging for Walsall in added time and despite the hosts improving slightly as the half went on, Cambridge were good value for their lead as they entered the break winning 1-0.

In the opening minutes of the second half it was Walsall that had control of the ball as the management team encouraged from the sidelines - but they still failed to create a clear-cut chance.

Despite that, Cambridge should have extended their lead after 58 minutes. Roberts came to claim a free-kick but totally missed the ball and Robbie Cundy, who was sliding in at the back post, lashed his effort into the side netting with the goal gaping.

With 65 minutes on the clock Walsall looked devoid of any ideas and creativity, making it too easy for Cambridge. Hannant then smashed a shot just wide, under little pressure from the Saddlers defence.

A smart save from Roberts denied Mullin when he pushed his curled effort around the far post. Dan Scarr was appealing for a foul in the build-up.

In an attempt to get back into the game Walsall moved to a 3-4-1-2 formation with Holden and McDonald as wing-backs. White moved into a back three. Osadebe and Bates replaced George Nurse and Kinsella as the Saddlers looked to go on the offensive.

Jake Scrimshaw was then introduced, replacing Elijah Adebayo, as a final throw of the dice for Walsall.

But within minutes Cambridge doubled their lead through another penalty. This time White was adjudged to have handled in the box as a cross came in. Ironside took it and placed it into the bottom corner.

Ironside almost added a third when he slid in at the back post, unchallenged, but he was inches away from meeting the ball.

Caolan Lavery headed just wide as the game entered three minutes of added time but an impressive Cambridge side kept their clean sheet intact for their sixth win of the campaign, in just nine League Two games.

The loss for Walsall moves them to 14th in the division and without a win in four games.

Teams

Walsall: Roberts, White, Scarr, Jules, Nurse (Osadebe, 72), Holden, Kinsella (Bates, 72), Guthrie, McDonald, Lavery, Adebayo (Scrimshaw, 77).

Subs not used: Rose, Norman, Sadler, Sinclair.

Cambridge: Mitov, Knoyle, Cundy, Taylor, Davies, Dunk, May, Boateng, Hannant (El Mizouni, 92), Mullin (Iredale, 73), Ironside.

Subs not used: Burton, Darling, Dallas, Knowles.