George Bennett analysis: Walsall up and running as first win has Bescot buzzing

It took just two minutes for the Hatters to find the net only for Villa loanee Louie Barry to be flagged offside. But Stockport continued to pose a dangerous threat to the Walsall defence with Paddy Madden dropping between the lines to link up play and Macauley Southam-Hales bombing down the right.

Madden knocked the ball out wide with his back to goal and Southam-Hales’ low cross was cleared back into his path. The Irishman’s swinging effort took a wicked deflection but Evans showcased his quick reactions to remain upright and keep hold of his strike.

Stockport felt they should’ve had a penalty when Nick Powell went down under a challenge from Evans. The Hatters boss Dave Challinor was incensed on the touch line but referee Jacob Miles was unmoved.

Madden then saw his near post volley blocked by Donervon Daniels as Walsall weathered the early storm.

A strong defensive structure provided Walsall with a perfect platform to build and they were rewarded when they drew first blood through Danny Johnson after 24 minutes.

Young centre-back Ethan Pye fluffed his clearance and was caught on his heals as Draper charged away from him down the right.

Johnson had escaped his marker by the time Draper had picked his head up and the teenager provided a pinpoint pass for his strike partner.

Ben Hinchliffe emerged off his line but Johnson kept his composure and carefully tucked a clinical finish into the bottom corner to score his second goal in as many games.

Walsall grew in confidence after breaking the deadlock and Isaac Hutchinson was at the heart of the action.

The Saddlers midfielder pick-pocketed his man and charged into the box with menacing intent until his touch ran away from him.

A scramble ensued with the ball ricochetting invitingly for Johnson but the Walsall forward poked his chance wide of the near post. Walsall continued to look threatening with Oisin McEntee nodding a corner wide and Hutchinson dragging a low effort off target.

Stockport did offer a reminder of the quality they possessed up front when Barry danced past a series of challenges to unleash a swerving strike over the woodwork.

The Hatters started the second period on the front foot but Walsall remained defensively resolute. Daniels made another goal saving block to deny substitute Will Collar just moments after the Stockport midfielder fired wide from an acute angle.

Sadler swapped his front men with Aramide Oteh and Jamille Matt replacing Johnson and Draper just past the hour-mark.

Stirk controlled the tempo in the centre of the park, McEntee battled valiantly and Hutchinson constantly drove forward as Walsall’s chief creator. Stockport had the ball in the net for a second time with 15 minutes left on the clock.

Powell crossed low from the byline for Madden to rifle a powerful strike into the roof of the net but Powell had been unable to keep the ball in play.

The visitors’ frustration grew and Barry racked up a fifth booking of the afternoon for the Hatters when he kicked the ball into the stands.

Walsall knocked the stuffing out of Stockport’s comeback mission when Oteh sealed the deal with a second 11 minutes from time.

McEntee bulldozed his way into the box with a determined solo run and flicked a low ball back to Oteh, who caressed an unerring finish into the bottom corner.

Oteh marked his appearance from the bench with his first goal since returning to the club from Crawley Town in the summer.

The tension was palpable during 10 minutes of second-half stoppage time as a bumper crowd of over 6,000 held its breath.

Anxiety levels intensified when Stockport reduced the deficit deep into stoppage time. Madden lifted a high cross to the back post and Ryan Rydel hung in the air to head beyond Evans.

Sadler paced the touchline like a madman but the unbearable tension was traded for euphoria when the final whistle finally sounded.

Walsall showed grit and determination, and great togetherness to haul them over the line.

After two tough trips to Lancashire, Walsall returned to a buzzing Bescot to get off the mark in the Sadler era.