SADDLERS STUNG
-THE SADDLERS stepped out at a wet Griffin Park ready to do battle with Brentford.
An early burst by the returning Milan Lalkovic caused the hosts concern but the ball rebounded out of play off him.
Excellent challenge from Adam Chambers halted the hosts' progress. He had to receive treatment in the wake of the challenge as Connor McAlney was forced to leave the field on a stretcher following lengthy treatment.
Appeals for a penalty for The Bees waved away as Farid El Alagui goes down under a challenge from Paul Downing.
There was a yellow card for Mal Benning for a foul out wide as The Bees deliver a high ball into the area that is cleared.
An excellent passage of play from The Saddlers saw James Baxendale do well on the by-line and his pull-back found Craig Westcarr whose low strike crept inches wide.
Walsall starting to get hold of the ball more as the half progresses.
A long-range drive from Adam Forshaw rattled the top of the crossbar.
After forcing a corner, the resulting flag-kick found its way out to Sam Mantom who dragged his effort well wide of the target.
The home side took the lead when Clayton Donaldson found space inside the area to direct a header beyond Richard O'Donnell.
A late raid by The Saddlers saw Paul Downing feed Craig Westcarr who in turn picked out Lalkovic but his effort was straight at the 'keeper.
HALF-TIME: Brentford 1 Walsall 0
Good battling by Adam Chambers and Westcarr saw them set up Lalkovic whose effort was blocked as The Bees got men back to defend. The next raid saw David Button deny Westcarr as James Chambers blazed over as the ball found its way over to him on the right of the area.
Hesitation in defence by The Saddlers saw El Alagui round O'Donnell only for Butler to get back and clear his effort as he looked to slot home.
O'Donnell alert to head the danger clear during what was actually a positive spell for Walsall.
A neat ball from George Saville played in Donaldson who was denied by a smart save from O'Donnell.
There was a first change for Walsall as Romaine Sawyers replaced Ashley Hemmings with just under 20 minutes to go.
Some superb build-up play by Walsall saw Mantom find Lalkovic whose low ball just evaded Westcarr in the middle. Good spell for The Saddlers with some neat football to cause our hosts concern.
Nicky Featherstone on for Adam Chambers then as the clock ticked down, James McQuilkin came on for his League debut in place of Baxendale.
Another great late save from O'Donnell to deny what would have been the clincher from Forshaw.
At the other end, some slick play ended with Lalkovic crossing for Westcarr at the near post as Button alert to save well.
Saddlers applying late pressure, but unable to find a way through as McQuilkin's strike went well wide in the closing stages.
FULL-TIME: Brentford 1 Walsall 0