Walsall 3-2 Accrington Stanley: Lee Grant claims first home victory

Walsall head coach Grant tasted his first victory on home soil for the first time.

Lee Grant enjoyed his first home victory as Walsall boss, as his side ran out 3-2 winners against Accrington Stanley at Bescot.

Goal scorers Aaron Pressley and Harrison Burke celebrate during Walsall's win over Accrington. | Owen Russell

placeholder image — Goal scorers Aaron Pressley and Harrison Burke celebrate during Walsall's win over Accrington. | Owen Russell

Reece Smith opened the scoring after eight minutes, but Accrington responded immediately when Josh Woods got them back on level terms.

Harrison Burke restored the Saddlers’ lead with a powerful header deep into first half stoppage time and Aaron Pressley doubled their advantage eight minutes after the restart.

Stefan Mols halved the deficit in the 59th-minute, but Walsall held out to register their first home victory since beating Newport County 2-1 on March 21.

Reece Smith celebrates his first goal for Walsall. | Owen Russell

Grant made five changes to the team that started the Saddlers’ Carabao Cup tie against Leyton Orient on Tuesday.

Declan Skura, Mason Hancock, Sven Sprangler, Courtney Clarke and Aaron Pressley returned - while James Connolly was a notable absentee.

Accrington were the team applying the pressure in the very early stages, but it was Walsall who delivered the breakthrough after eight minutes.

Clarke was very much the architect, cutting inside with the cheekiest of nutmegs, before finding Rico Browne on the overlap.

Harrison Burke scored the Saddlers' second on the cusp of half-time. | Owen Russell

His cross was seized upon by Pressley, who was denied at close quarters by Louie Moulden, only for Smith to smash home the rebound for his first Walsall goal.

The lead was short-lived as Accrington found a leveller just four minutes later. Ward could only parry a low free-kick from Henderson and Woods was on hand to convert on the follow-up.

Shaun Whalley curled an effort wide of the near post, while Declan Skura headed over from point-blank range towards the end of the first half.

Walsall did restore their lead deep into stoppage time when Burke generated all the power on his header to guide Mason Hancock’s cross into the roof of the net.

Pressley doubled the Saddlers’ lead seven minutes into the second half when he glanced Smith’s pinpoint cross into the far top corner for his third goal of the season in all competitions.

Harrison Burke celebrates after Aaron Pressley scored the Saddlers' third. | Owen Russell

Accrington halved the deficit just before the hour-mark when Woods’ effort deflected into the path of substitute Molz to convert.

Walsall had to survive eight minutes of stoppage time and Accrington very nearly snatched an equaliser in the final seconds when Woods got in behind.

The visitors almost scrambled the ball over the line, but Burke made a crucial block to preserve all three points.

Next, Walsall travel to Gresty Road to face Crewe Alexandra on Tuesday night.

Teams

Walsall (4-2-3-1): Ward; Browne (Ahui 46), Burke (c), Skura, Hancock; Sprangler, Moore; Clarke (Simper 73), Sodje (Dallas 73), Smith (Adomah 86); Pressley.

Not used: Wooster, Crew, Furlong.

Accrington (3-4-1-2): Moulden; Moore (Tutonda 79), Rawson, Matthews; Henderson (Mols 55), Love, Conneely (Coyle 55), Anderson; Whalley (Walton 55); Caton, Woods.

Subs: Rogerson, Grant, Brown.