Stadium:MK was the venue in what was really a game which had more of a pre-season feel to it as both teams' fate had already been decided. The Saddlers secured their League One status at home to Huddersfield last weekend, whilst the MK Dons had long before secured a play-off place.
With the travelling faithful in good voice, the first real sight of goal for the Saddlers came through a deflected Adam Chambers shot, but his effort was eventually grasped by Dons 'keeper David Martin. It was then Alex Nicholls' turn to break forward, only for him to see his shot hit the side netting.
Walsall had started the game really well and soon found themselves deservedly ahead. A fantastic break from the ever lively Emmanuel Ledesma set up Will Grigg, who was making a rare start. Grigg shrugged off the right back before breaking into the box and curling a neat shot into the far corner of the net.
For much of the first half it was a fairly dull affair with lots of midfield passing and a few half chances for both sides. Ledesma was again involved when he set up Nicholls, but his low powerful strike went wide of the 'keepers right hand post.
Walsall's defence were doing a stern job at restricting much of the home teams' attacking threat and the Saddlers still had the edge on their opponents going into the second half under limited pressure.
H/T MK Dons 0 Walsall 1
The second half began with a double substitution for the hosts. Alan Smith and Dean Bowditch made way for former Walsall man Jabo Ibehre and Jay O'Shea. The changes didn't make too much of an impact as the Dons were still struggling to test Jimmy Walker.
Nick Chadwick then came on for Adam Chicksen as Milton Keynes added an extra attacking player to their line up. The next chance for the Saddlers again fell to Grigg, but his wild effort over the bar was to be his last involvement in the match as he was replaced by Jon Macken.
The best chance of the game soon followed, a great through ball over the top from Ledesma found its way to Macken who controlled it brilliantly before squaring it to Nicholls who was in acres of spaces. The youngster somehow missed the target from the edge of the box when it seemed a certain goal.
Kevan Hurst was then introduced late on as Walsall continued to try and double their lead, missing a host of chances in truth.
A late bit of pressure from the MK Dons really summed up their day as a flurry of shots flew high and wide over the bar, which had been the case all afternoon.
RESULT: MK Dons 0 Walsall 1 (Grigg 18')
Att: 10,607
Ref: A, D'Urso
It meant that Walsall would take the victory and finish the season on 50 points. It really was a great performance from the Saddlers in a game where there was no pressure on either team. It was a positive end to a long hard season and Walsall must now prepare in the summer ready to do it all over again next season.
By: Jack Hansford