THE SADDLERS slipped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers Yeovil Town after putting in a woeful display.

In what was our first home game for over a month, Walsall looked to make a positive start as Kevan Broadhurst oversaw his first game at Bescot Stadium.

With ten minutes on the clock, Ishmel Demontagnac, back in the starting line-up, was booked for a foul on Kevin Amankwaah out wide as he looked to make progress out wide.

Four minutes later and a fine long ball over the top by Paul Devlin picked out strike partner, Andrew Barrowman but he delayed his effort too long as this allowed Yeovil to clear.

Some tricky play out wide by Arron Davies saw him pick out Matt Harrold who had time to control the ball and fire beyond Andy Oakes to give the visitors the lead.

Straight away at the other end, Kevin James curled a free-kick over from a dangerous position before a low cross from the by-line from Demontagnac saw James just fail to make contact in front of goal as he came under pressure. The loose ball was eventually cleared long by the visitors' defence.

We fell further behind just past the half-hour when a mistake by Ian Roper let in Davies who confidently guided the ball past an exposed Oakes.

The Saddlers were looking disjointed and unable to get into their stride as the half came to a close.

Mads Timm came on in place of Mark Wright at half-time as Walsall came out looking to see an improvement in their overall performance.

There was a yellow card for Grant Smith before he was substituted shortly afterwards as Chris Westwood entered the fray.

Oakes saved well on the hour-mark as he instinctively blocked a Davies effort from close range as the lively Yeovil front-man latched on to a loose ball from a corner.

The Saddlers continued to struggle to get their game together as the half went on as James put a header well wide from a teasing left-wing cross.

With 20 minutes to go an impressive curling effort from distance by Davies landed inches wide as he spotted Oakes straying off his line. Then Demontagnac's weak back-pass almost let in Harrold by Oakes was alert to clear.

As Walsall backed off on the edge of the area, Nathan Jones saw room for a shot open up in front of him but his effort dipped just over.

Oakes was relieved on 81 minutes when he came out of his area to clear but missed the ball completely. However, Anthony Gerrard spared his blushes by clearing the ball under pressure.

Gerrard was later booked for his comments to the referee after a decision went against him. The former Everton man was involved in the next piece of action as he cleared a low drive off the line.

In the closing stages, a Roper header back in search of Oakes fell to Davies who lifted the ball beyond the 'keeper but it landed the wrong side of the post.

There was a red card for Demontagnac in the last minute as he picked up a second yellow card following a foul out wide to complete a truly miserable night.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography.