Match report - Walsall 1 Leeds United 0

The striker fired home James Baxendale's cross in the 11th minute as Dean Smith's side saw off a strong visiting line-up.

Romaine Sawyers and Sam Mantom also went close for the home side, while Saddlers keeper Richard O'Donnell brilliantly denied Tom Lees and Michael Tonge.

Walsall rested captain Andy Butler, with Dean Holden partnering Paul Downing in the centre of defence. Adam Chambers made his first start of pre-season in midfield after recovering from a knee injury.

The Saddlers were the first to threaten when Milan Lalkovic played in Mal Benning but the left-back's near post cross-shot was pushed behind by Paddy Kenny.

But the home fans didn't have to wait long for something to cheer as Walsall took the lead with a well-worked goal. Adam Chambers picked up possession in midfield and drove forward before sliding through a pass for Baxendale, whose cross was fired home first time by Westcarr.

The goalscorer then saw a shot deflected wide soon after following nice link-up play with Ashley Hemmings as the home side's bright start continued.

Leeds took time to get going but the home side had an escape when Ross McCormack almost profited from O'Donnell failing to hold a Noel Hunt knockdown.

It was a nervy moment for the keeper but he showed his quality soon after when he brilliantly pushed Lees' header onto the woodwork from a Stephen Warnock corner.

The visitors went even closer soon after as a Paul Green chip over the top sent Matt Smith clean through. O'Donnell managed to block the first shot but the ball came back to the striker, only for his second effort to be brilliantly blocked on the line by James Chambers.

Walsall were still showing plenty of promise going forward themselves and after Ashley Hemmings had shot wide, a clever Westcarr through ball set Baxendale clear but his curling finish was just over the bar.

Leeds finished the half hour on top but could not find a leveller with Warnock and Tonge shooting off target and Green seeing a low shot held by O'Donnell.

The visitors carried the momentum into the early stages of the second half. Substitute Dominic Polian almost made an immediate impact but scuffed his shot straight at O'Donnell after being put through by Luke Murphy, before Hunt headed wide.

O'Donnell then pulled off another superb save to deny Tonge after his first time shot from Hunt's cross.

Walsall's first attempt of the period was a Westcarr shot straight at Kenny, before Baxendale couldn't get a clean connection on a Lalkovic pull back after the Slovakian found himself in space.

Lalkovic then showed quick feet to evade the defenders again but once more Baxendale could not find the finish, sending a scuffed effort off target.

The hosts made seven changes with 25 minutes to go and it immediately gave them extra impetus and Mantom, one of the new men, was quick to test Kenny with a shot from distance. Mantom then played in fellow substitute Sawyers, but he was denied by the outstretched hand of the Leeds keeper.

Ben Purkiss should have made it two but ballooned his shot over the bar with the goal gaping from a James McQuilkin corner.

Mantom had Kenny flying across goal to keep out another fierce effort before Leeds threatened for the first time in a long time when Liam Roberts, on for O'Donnell, saved Luke Varney's low effort.

Visiting substitute Aiden White sent an effort fizzing over the bar and Luke Murphy fires off target from close range as Leeds looked in vain for a late leveller.