Saddlers ease relegation fears
Jordy Hiwula's first-half goal put daylight between Walsall and the teams fighting for survival as the Saddlers ended a four-game winless run with a 1-0 victory at Yeovil.
Two penalties were missed in the contest - one for either side - but Hiwula's all-important effort meant Dean Smith's men moved nine points clear of the bottom four in Sky Bet League One.
On-loan keeper Scott Loach looked set for a nightmare debut 27 minutes in when his challenge on ex-Glover Hiwula resulted in a penalty. Tom Bradshaw took on the responsibility but his tame strike was well-held by the relieved stopper.
It was not long until Walsall made their pressure count, though, as Hiwula again found joy on the left before cutting inside and sliding his shot under Loach.
Saddlers midfielder James Baxendale watched his strike come back off the post after a driving run, while Gozie Ugwu's header was ruled out for offside at the other end after James Hayter had nodded against the crossbar.
Yeovil were awarded a penalty of their own with 19 minutes to go when Ben Purkiss felled Joel Grant in the area. Substitute Adam Morgan stepped up but saw his spot-kick saved by Richard O'Donnell diving to his left.
The stopper came to the rescue again at the death as he brilliantly saved Byron Webster's goal-bound header and protected the three points.
Source: PA
