The Saddlers returned to League Two action on Saturday afternoon as they took on Accrington Stanley at a bouncing Bescot Stadium.
Despite having much of the ball and creating most of the goal scoring opportunities, Walsall would concede the first goal some twelve minutes before half-time when Ben Woods put sent a looping volley over Tommy Simkin and into the back of the net.
The Saddlers' hopes of changing the game were damaged by second-half substitute Connor Barrett seeing red after bring on the field of play for a matter f minutes.
SKY BET LEAGUE TWO
| WALSALL | 0-1 | STANLEY |
| GOALSCORER | B. WOODS (33') | |
| 55 | POSSESSION (%) | 45 |
| 13 | SHOTS (TOTAL) | 8 |
| 3 | SHOTS (ON TARGET) | 2 |
| 2 | BLOCKED SHOTS | 3 |
| 1 | GOALKEEPER SAVES | 4 |
| 6 | CORNERS | 5 |
| 7 | FOULS | 10 |
| 2 | YELLOW CARDS | 4 |
| 1 | RED CARDS | 0 |
| AT | BESCOT STADIUM |
| ATTENDANCE | 8,131 (260) |
| REFEREE | ALEX CHILOWICZ |
WALSALL
Simkin; Williams, Okagbue, Allen; Asiimwe, McEntee (Harrison, 72'), Chang (Stirk, 72'), L. Gordon (C. Barrett, 72' 🟥); Hall (Amantchi, 66'); Adomah 🟨, Matt (Jellis, 66' 🟨)
Substitutes: Hornby; Daniels
ACCRINGTON STANLEY
Kelly; Aljofree, Matthews, Ward (Quirk, 63'); Love, Coyle 🟨, Grant, B. Woods; Whalley (O'Brien-Whitmarsh, 90+1' 🟨); Walton 🟨 (Mooney, 90+3'), J. Woods 🟨
Subs: Isherwood, Henderson, Caton, Batty