DESPITE a spirited comeback after we had slipped two goals behind, The Saddlers came home from Prenton Park pointless after a 2-1 defeat by high-flying Tranmere Rovers.

The first shot at goal by either side produced the opening goal on eight minutes for the home side as Iain Hume was allowed time to line up a shot from outside the area which found its way beyond the despairing dive of former Tranmere man, Joe Murphy.

The Saddlers were struggling early on to come to terms with a change of formation as a couple of long hopeful balls out of defence were easily picked up by the home defence.

Our first chance came just past the quarter-hour mark when Paul Merson delivered a teasing free-kick which found its way to Jorge Leitao at the far post but he was denied by a timely challenge.

With 22 minutes on the clock, Chris Dagnall was allowed to cut inside Neil Emblen before firing in a low shot that Murphy got down well to gather.

There was a blow for Walsall just past the half-hour mark when the experienced Mark Kinsella was forced to leave the field after taking a blow to the face. He was replaced by Joe Broad in the heart of the side.

The opening period ended with a good chance for Merson's men as the player-manager threaded through Leitao with a precise defence-splitting ball, but the Portuguese striker fired a low effort wide after doing well to free himself from the attentions of his marker.

The second half began with the home side putting the ball in the net only for the effort to be ruled out for a foul on Julian Bennett at the far post.

It wasn't long before Tranmere's second goal did arrive as hesitency in the centre of Walsall's defence was punished by Dagnall who broke away from the falling Bennett before rounding Murphy and firing home.

It presented The Saddlers with a real mountain to climb but on 56 minutes a powerful shot by Merson produced a good save from Russell Howarth who pushed the ball out for a corner which was headed well wide by Bennett who was up from the back.

The Saddlers eventually pulled a goal back on 62 minutes as a Merson corner came back to him and this time his delivery found Leitao in front of goal and he was able to divert the ball into the back of the net with a deft touch.

The home side were rocked by the goal and Walsall went on to enjoy plenty of possession without every really causing too many problems for Howarth.

With ten minutes to go Michael Standing was replaced by former Rovers loanee Marvin Robinson but he was unable to inspire an equaliser as Walsall slipped to yet another away day defeat.