Walsall 2-4 Salford: Saddlers succumb to first league defeat in thriller

Walsall suffered their first league defeat of the season, after losing 4-2 in a thrilling contest against League Two leaders Salford City at Bescot.

Strikes from Macauley Langstaff and Jorge Grant propelled Salford into a 2-0 lead after 54 minutes.

Aaron Pressley halved the deficit with his ninth goal of the season in all competitions, before Lewis Simper headed Walsall level on 65 minutes.

But Kallum Cesay immediately fired Salford ahead again and Adebola Oluwo added a fourth late on to seal the Ammies’ seventh successive win in League Two.

Kallum Cesay immediately restored the Ammies’ lead and Adebola Oluwo headed in a fourth to seal a seventh successive win for the visitors in League Two.

Lee Grant made four changes from the team that started the Saddlers’ 3-0 win over Oldham Athletic at Bescot last Tuesday.

Ryan Leak replaced the suspended Elicha Ahui, as Declan Skura moved over to right-back. Mason Hancock, Sven Sprangler and Reece Smith were also recalled to the XI.

Salford started on the front-foot and Jed Ward was called upon to keep out a low effort from Grant inside the first five minutes.

Langstaff dragged a low shot wide, before Ward produced an outstanding save to tip Luke Molyneux’s goal-bound effort over the crossbar.

Walsall began to make inroads after a nervy start. Pressley dropped deep to start their first attack of note, as he swept the ball out to Hancock. His diagonal pass was cushioned down by Tai Sodje, but Pressley blazed over on the half-volley.

Pressley had a golden chance to continue his red hot form in front of goal when Courtney Clarke slotted a through ball into his path. Reece Smith was peeling away unmarked to his left, but Pressley decided to go alone and dragged wide of Will Norris’ right-hand post.

Ward had his palms warmed again by Grant when the Salford wide man fizzed another shot from distance towards goal. Sodje then had a presentable chance at the other end following a deft cross from Hancock, but he sliced his finish off target.

Salford hit the front right on the cusp of half-time when Molyneux picked out Langstaff with a low cross and the Salford striker steered his finish into the far bottom corner.

The visitors went in search of a second immediately after the restart and doubled their lead through Grant just nine minutes into the second half.

Clarke was pickpocketed on the edge of the Walsall penalty area and Grant curled an unerring strike into the far top corner.

Walsall issued an immediate response when Pressley scored his third goal in two games to halve the deficit. Sodje made a driving run to the by-line, before squaring for Pressley to convert from close-range.

Simper and Charlie Crew had been introduced just prior to the first Walsall goal, as they mounted a thrilling comeback.

Hancock broke free down the left and delivered an excellent cross for Simper to head in the equaliser off the crossbar on 65 minutes.

But Salford immediately restored their lead, as Cesay got in behind Walsall defence and squeezed his finish past Ward.

Substitute Oluwo added a fourth for Salford eight minutes from time when he towered above his marker to head Matt Butcher’s corner in off the woodwork.

Walsall came close to pulling another goal back deep into stoppage time. Hancock delivered a devilish cross into the box, as Oluwo knocked it inches wide of his own goal with Pressley lurking.

Next, Walsall travel to the JobServe Community Stadium to face Colchester United on Saturday.

Teams

Walsall (4-2-3-1): Ward; Skura, Leak (Furlong 69), Connolly (c), Hancock; Moore, Sprangler (Crew 58); Clarke (Simper 58), Sodje (Dallas 71), Smith; Pressley.

Not used: Wooster, Burke, Adomah.

Salford (3-4-3): Norris; Aimson, Scarr, Allen; Molyneux, Bonds, Wiredu (Olowu 73), Odoh (Butcher 73); Grant (Asiimwe 61), Langstaff (Udoh 89), N’Mai (Cesay 61).

Not used: Burge, Garbutt.

Referee: Martin Coy

Attendance: 6,395 (328 away)