Bradford City 0 Walsall FC 2 - match report
Walsall ended their ten game winless streak and Craig Westcarr ended his scoring drought with a brace in a 2-0 win at Bradford.
The striker had not scored since the last time the Saddlers tasted victory – a 5-1 win at Notts County in January.
But he broke the deadlock midway through the second half at Valley Parade when he poked home Andy Taylor's left wing cross.
And the striker then sealed victory 12 minutes from time when he shot into the top corner from the edge of the box.
This wasn't a thrilling game but Dean Smith and his team won't care a jot as their infuriating winless run came to an end.
For much of the season the Saddlers have failed to take their chances but they were clinical here in a game which didn't spark until the final quarter.
Smith named an unchanged team from the one which drew 1-1 with Leyton Orient on Saturday.
Febian Brandy had the first effort of note with a shot from distance which had the sting taken out of it thanks to a hefty deflection off home defender Rory McArdle.
The next block made by a home defender came from Adam Drury and was far more important as it was off a goalbound Adam Chambers volley, after excellent build-up play had led to an Taylor cross from the left.
Sam Mantom then hammered the loose ball over the bar. Westcarr had a free-kick also deflected behind as the Saddlers continued to have what little there was in terms of goalmouth action.
But they almost fell behind just before the half hour mark when Andrew Davies directed a header inches wide of the post from Gary Jones free-kick.
Westcarr then struck a low drive directly at McLaughlin after an initial shot had been blocked but it was on the whole a rather forgettable first 45 minutes.
The first 22 minutes of the second half were equally disinteresting before Westcarr ended his ten game goal drought and put the Saddlers ahead.
Taylor was afforded too much room on the left and his cross to the near post was poked home by the striker, who got in front of keeper Jon McLaughlin.
Substitute James Baxendale then tested the keeper with a long-range effort which he did well to hold with Westcarr lurking. But there was little he could do about Westcarr's second 12 minutes from time.
An excellent move involving substitute James McQuilkin ended with the striker driving a shot, which appeared to take a light deflection, over McLaughlin and into the top corner from the edge of the box.
Bradford exerted little pressure over the closing stages as the Saddlers saw out the win with ease.