Walsall 1-0 Chesterfield - report: Saddlers make it three league wins in a row

Kanu opened his goal scoring account for Walsall in the 43rd-minute when he robbed Chesterfield of possession and finished with aplomb. 

Charlie Lakin was shown a second yellow card midway into the second half and Walsall had to really dig in to emerge with maximum points.

That result propelled Walsall into third-place in League Two after seven games.

Analysis

Ryan Finnigan was presented with his first league start for Walsall, replacing the injured Jamie Jellis. 

Visitors Chesterfield made two changes with Tom Naylor and Dylan Markanday succeeding Matt Dibley-Dias and Dylan Duffy. 

Walsall were the team applying the early pressure and Aden Flint came closest when he nodded Finnigan's corner off target. 

Goalmouth action was at a premium but Walsall still looked threatening from set pieces with Harrison Burke also sending a looping header on to the roof of the net.

That threat continued to trouble Chesterfield with Charlie Lakin guiding his downward header wide from Evan Weir's devilish delivery.

Chesterfield had their best period in the game just after the half-hour mark and created a series of opening down the left, although Walsall goalkeeper Myles Roberts was never troubled.

Kanu fired Walsall into the lead just before half-time when he stole the ball just outside the box and applied an unerring finish into the far bottom corner. 

Lakin stung the palms of Chesterfield goalkeeper Zach Hemmings just after the restart following some really good hold up play by Aaron Pressley. 

Chesterfield had the lion's share of possession in the second half but Walsall remained organised and disciplined to prevent them from threatening in the final third. 

Brandon Comley and Courtney Clarke picked up the baton from Lewis Warrington and Finnigan just past the hour. 

Walsall were reduced to 10-men midway into the second half when Lakin was shown a second yellow card. 

Jid Okeke came on for his league debut and was deployed as an eight, with Clarke switching to the left, while Albert Adomah replaced Kanu who was struggling with fatigue.

Armando Dobra and Chey Dunkley headed off target in stoppage time, but Walsall stood firm to register a third successive clean sheet in League Two.

Next, Walsall travel to the Lancashire coast to face Fleetwood Town at the Highbury Stadium next Saturday.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Burke, Flint (c), Weir; Warrington (Comley 64); Barrett, Finnigan (Clarke 64), Lakin, Harper; Pressley (Okeke 75), Kanu (Adomah 82).

Not used: Hornby, Browne, Matt.

Chesterfield (4-2-3-1): Hemming; Daley-Campbell (Tanton 73), Dunkley, McFadzean, Gordon (Lewis 73); Stirk, Naylor; Markanday (Mandeville 84), Darcy (Grigg 73), Dobra; Bonis (Dickson 84). 

Not used: Boot, Fleck.

Other Details 

Referee:  Zac Kennard-Kettle 

Attendance: 6,695