Walsall 0 Swindon 2 - match report

Simon Ferry's goal after just 57 seconds put the Robins in charge before Matt Ritchie's drive doubled their lead in the second half.

Walsall created little with Jamie Paterson's free kick comfortably saved by Wes Foderingham.

It was an improvement on the 4-1 defeat to Scunthorpe in mid-week as the Saddlers dropped to 17th in League One, just three points above the relegation zone.

Mal Benning was handed his full debut and Sam Mantom was instantly installed in midfield after re-joining on loan from Albion but the Saddlers fell behind inside the first minute.

Walsall failed to deal with the Robins' threat down the left and when James Collins missed his kick the ball was only cleared to Ferry who blasted into the roof of the net from 12-yards.

It was a disastrous start for the Saddlers as the confidence ebbed away in a dominant opening for Swindon.

David Grof's poor clearance fell to Nathan Thompson but his shot drifted over before the keeper redeemed himself with a smart low save from Collins after eight minutes.

The Saddlers were second best, laborious without the ball and wasteful with it with only Jamie Paterson's low drive which skidded wide as a response.

A couple of Walsall corners came to nothing and they were indebted to Richard Taundry after 26 minutes when his goal-saving challenge thwarted Collins after Ferry's knock down.

The hosts were nervous, weighed down by their winless run and reeling from the Robins' electric start.

Mantom shot wide on 34 minutes after neat play by Benning and Nicky Featherstone but it was the best the Saddlers created during a desperate half.

Grof turned Gary Roberts' 25-yard onto the post just before the break and they continued to press after the re-start as Benning's last ditch clearance denied Collins.

And the left-back almost dragged the Saddlers level on 51 minutes when Foderingham turned his mis-hit shot wide.

Febian Brandy replaced the struggling James Baxendale as Dean Smith searched for greater penetration but they fell 2-0 behind on 61 minutes.

Paterson's free kick was saved by Foderingham and when Swindon cleared the corner they broke with devastating effect.

Butler blocked Miles Storey's shot after Roberts' cross but the ball fell to Ritchie who drilled in from 20-yards.

It killed the game and Grof had to rush out of his area to deny Storey before saving Williams' follow-up as Swindon hunted more goals.

And the keeper saved at Williams' feet after the striker cashed in on Benning's missed header with 10 minutes left with Walsall well beaten.