Pre-season: AFC Telford United 1-0 Walsall - Saddlers defeated in Shropshire

Alex Pattison was forced off for Walsall, as they suffered a 1-0 defeat against AFC Telford United at Bucks Head.

A Bucks’ trialist produced the decisive moment of the match when he drilled a low finish beyond the reach of Jed Ward.

Albert Adomah had hit the post with a free-kick early on, but Walsall were unable find an equaliser after falling behind.

James Connolly started on his first Walsall appearance and fellow summer signing Tai Sodje led the line.

Walsall controlled the early proceedings and only the post denied them the opener when Adomah curled his free-kick on to the upright.

Elicha Ahui continued to maraud forward down the right and almost reaped his reward when he chased down Harrison Burke’s diagonal ball to the by-line. His hooked cross found Lewis Simper, but he could only blaze his half-volley over the crossbar.

Telford breached the Walsall defence for the first time on the half-hour mark and opened the scoring when a trialist drilled a low finish into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.

Grant made five changes at the break with the introductions of Jenson Kilroy, Declan Skura, Sven Sprangler, Pattison and Aaron Pressley.

Pattison was forced off just 20 minutes into the second half after picking up a knock, as Ronan Maher replaced him after returning from an elbow injury.

Walsall never settled into the second half and looked disjointed at times amid a raft of changes. Pressley came closest to an equaliser when he rose to meet Simper’s corner at the back post and headed comfortably over the crossbar.

Orrin Pendley attempted a spectacular effort from inside his own half, which had Kilroy backpedalling, but the Walsall goalkeeper readjusted to palm behind.

Next, Walsall face Luton Town in a behind-closed-doors friendly on Wednesday, before hosting Notts County in their final pre-season fixture next Saturday.

Match details

Walsall XI (4-2-3-1): Ward (Kilroy (46); Ahui (Browne 64), Burke (Leak 76), Connolly (Skura 46), Hancock (Etheridge 64); Moore (Sprangler 46), Bunn; Adomah (Pattison 46 - Maher 67), Simper, Clarke (Pressley 46); Sodje (Dallas 64).