Walsall 0 Newport County 1 - Report

In what was a largely tight affair throughout, the Saddlers saw some nice passing phases of play but struggled to test the opposition goalkeeper.

Newport had the better chances but also flattered to deceive. With one lapse of defensive concentration, though, the Exiles took the lead through Joss Labadie after 70 minutes.

Walsall battled for a way back into the game in the latter stages but were unable to make a dent on the Newport defence.

Dutton made two changes to his starting XI, playing a 5-3-2 formation.

Josh Gordon and Alfie Bates came into the team as Wes McDonald dropped to the bench and Liam Kinsella served the first game of his three-match suspension.

Stuart Sinclair made his return from injury and was among the substitutes. He was joined by academy prospects Sam Perry and Tom Leak. Callum Cockerill-Mollett and Jack Nolan were not involved.

Michael Flynn also made two changes and started with a 5-3-2 formation.

Scot Bennett and Matt Dolan came into the team. Jake Scrimshaw, who spent the first half of the season on-loan at Walsall, started on the bench.

Neither side had any clear-cut opportunities in the first 15 minutes as they took their time to assess the opposition. A Dolan free-kick from 25 yards was the only shot on target, but was straight at Liam Roberts.

The Saddlers were keen to pass the ball out from the back and hold onto possession, which has been a key part of Dutton’s style since taking charge.

After 35 minutes the Exiles almost scored through Liam Shephard. The wing-back shaped to cross on the right but his effort instead was about to creep in at the near post. Roberts managed to claw the ball off the line and save his team.

Labadie then went close with a low effort that trickled just wide of the post.

A slack pass from Emmanuel Osadebe allowed Newport to break and with Nicky Maynard through on goal his shot was saved well by Roberts.

Both sides entered the break drawing 0-0.

As the Saddlers emerged for the second half they made a tactical switch to 4-3-3. Cameron Norman moved into midfield, Gordon moved to the right and Osadebe the left.

Newport had a huge chance through Dom Telford only three minutes into the half. Hayden White went down with a head injury but referee Sam Allison played on and Telford was played one-on-one with Roberts. The goalkeeper stood firm, however, and saved his effort.

Norman then won the ball in midfield and slipped in Caolan Lavery, who shot just wide.

Newport took the lead after 70 minutes. A Ryan Haynes cross found Labadie in the box and after his initial header was saved into the bar, he followed up from close range to put the Exiles 1-0 up.

Walsall were fighting for an equaliser and almost found it through Max Melbourne, who had a shot saved from inside the box.

With six minutes of added time to play with it was all Walsall in the closing minutes, as they sought a goal. It failed to come, however, and they were condemned to a home loss.

Teams

Walsall: Roberts, Norman, White (Osei Yaw, 79), Scarr, Sadler, Melbourne, Bates, Vincent (Sinclair, 72), Osadebe (McDonald, 60), Gordon, Lavery.

Subs not used: Rose, Leak, Perry, Reid.

Newport: Townsend, Haynes, Demetriou, Dolan, Farquharson, Shephard, Bennett, Labadie (Hartigan, 90), Sheehan, Telford (Amond, 60), Maynard (Taylor, 79)

Subs not used: King, Lewis, Gambin, Scrimshaw.

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