Walsall 1-0 Tranmere Rovers – ` Sport

Jamille Matt's first league goal of the season gave Walsall a 1-0 win against dreadful underdogs Tranmere.

Rovers' winless away streak stretched to 17 games as Nigel Adkins suffered his first defeat since taking over.

A mistake from Walsall's David Okagbue gave Tranmere their first chance of the game, but Kristian Dennis' shot was denied by Saddlers keeper Jackson Smith.

Walsall captain Donervon Daniels should have given the hosts the lead but fired his volley six meters from goal.

Smith's superb stop denied Rovers ex-Walsall winger Kieron Morris before Rob Apter fired a shot just wide for the visitors.

Rovers keeper Luke McGee made a stunning stop right on the stroke of half-time when he ripped Liam Gordon's curler from the top corner.

But he was beaten in the 64th minute when half-time substitute Matt caught Daniels' long ball and slotted it past the advancing goalkeeper.

Ryan Stirk should have secured the points but headed Gordon's cross wide from six yards and Rovers, who remain in 21st place, almost took a point in stoppage time when Morris volleyed wide.

Match report provided by PA Media.

Lineups

Walsall

formation 3-5-1-1

22Blacksmith

2Cancel6Farquharson5Daniels

10Knowles4McEntee14Comley25Stark3Gordon

8thHutchinson

15Draper

• 22Blacksmith
• 2Cancel
• 6Farquharson
• 5DanielsBooked for 50 minutes
• 10Knowles
• 4McEnteeBooked for 69 minutes
• 14ComleyBooked for 73 minutes
• 25Stark
• 3Gordon
• 8thHutchinsonReplaced byFrostedat 45'protocolBooked for 83 minutes
• 15Draper

Substitute

• 1Evans
• 9Frosted
• 12Foulkes
• 17Earrings
• 19Williams
• 21Allen
• 39Johnson

Tranmere

formation 4-4-2

1McGee

2O'Connor21Small30Belehouan27Wood

25close4walking aid8thHendry7Morris

18Jennings14Dennis

• 1McGee
• 2O'ConnorReplaced bypikeat 76'protocol
• 21Small
• 30BelehouanBooked for 84 minutes
• 27WoodReplaced byNorrisat 87'protocol
• 25closeReplaced byHawkesat 87'protocol
• 4walking aidReplaced byMcAlearat 81'protocol
• 8thHendry
• 7Morris
• 18Jennings
• 14DennisReplaced bySaundersat 76'protocol

Substitute

• 11Hawkes
• 12Jolley
• 13Murphy
• 19Saunders
• 23McAlear
• 24pike
• 26Norris

Referee: Alan Young

Number of visitors: 5,190

Live text

1. Match ends: Walsall 1, Tranmere Rovers 0.

2. The second half ends, Walsall 1, Tranmere Rovers 0.

3. Attempt failed. Kieron Morris (Tranmere Rovers) tries with his left foot from the center of the box, but the ball misses to the left.

4. Attempt saved. Harvey Saunders (Tranmere Rovers) left footed shot from the left side of the penalty area is saved by the goalkeeper in the center of the goal.

5. Attempt blocked. Josh Hawkes (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from distance is blocked. Assisted by Reece McAlear with a cross.

6. Tranmere Rovers corner. Goal conceded by Freddie Draper.

7. Foul by Brandon Comley (Walsall).

8. Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick in the opponent's half.

9. Attempt blocked. Josh Hawkes (Tranmere Rovers) right footed shot from distance is blocked. Supported by Reece McAlear.

10. Foul by Liam Gordon (Walsall).

11. Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.

12. Attempt blocked. Regan Hendry (Tranmere Rovers) left footed shot from the left side of the penalty area is blocked. Supported by Reece McAlear.

13. Foul by Freddie Draper (Walsall).

14. Regan Hendry (Tranmere Rovers) wins a free kick on the right wing.

15. Delay over. You are ready to move on.

16. Delay in the game (Walsall).

17. Attempt saved. Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers) tries with his right foot from the right side of the box, but the shot is saved in the bottom right corner. Supported by Josh Hawkes.

18. Attempt blocked. Connor Jennings (Tranmere Rovers)'s header from the center of the penalty area is blocked. Assisted by Reece McAlear with a cross.

19. Substitution Tranmere Rovers. James Norris replaces Connor Wood.

20. Substitution Tranmere Rovers. Josh Hawkes replaces Rob Apter.