THE SADDLERS slipped to a disappointing 2-0 home defeat at the hands of Tranmere Rovers.

A good early move out on the left-hand side by Walsall in the third minute saw Zigor Aranalde cross for Jorge Leitao who brought the ball down well but he was crowded out as he lined up a shot.

The Saddlers were passing the ball around sharply in the opening exchanges and on the five-minute mark a high, hanging cross from Paul Merson caused problems for Russell Howarth in the visitors' goal as Leitao made his presence felt, but he was helped out by his defenders who managed to clear their lines.

Some good defensive work was required at the other end by Neil Emblen on 12 minutes as he headed a teasing cross from Iain Hume away from in front of his own goal before blocking a shot from Chris Dagnall as the ball ran loose.

An ambitious effort by Merson saw the player-manager attempt a lob from the half-way line as the 'keeper strayed off his line, but the ball fell just wide of the mark.

There were loud appeals for a Saddlers penalty just past the quarter-hour mark when Ian Sharps left his leg trailing to bring Leitao crashing to the ground as he raced towards goal. The decision not to point to the spot left both players and supporters bewildered and Merson was booked for his protests.

Some positive play by Dagnall at the other end saw him cut inside and find Theodore Whitmore who curled a shot just over before some more good passing by The Saddlers shortly afterwards ended with Wrack delivering a ball inside to Leitao near the penalty spot. He chested the ball down to Michael Standing whose attempt was blocked.

It was Walsall who were looking the more likely side at this stage and playing with a high tempo as a Merson volley from a Simon Osborn cross failed to have the necessary pace to trouble the 'keeper.

With the half-time interval approaching, an inviting cross from Standing was met by the head of Marvin Robinson, but his attempt fell well wide before the influential Merson almost set Wrack racing through in the next attack but Howarth was alert to the danger.

The second half began with another long-range attempt by Merson, this time it was on target but held by the 'keeper diving low to his right.

With 55 minutes on the clock, Hume's direct run caused problems as he got away from Julian Bennett and as Emblen slipped, he hit a shot that was blocked by Paul McShane, making his home debut. The loose ball found its way out to Gareth Roberts who fired well wide as the visitors found themselves with men over.

The Saddlers were struggling to find the momentum and tempo of the opening 45 minutes as the visitors started to get a hold of the game and Dagnall was given time to turn on the edge of the area but his shot flashed wide.

Tranmere finally managed to get their noses in front shortly afterwards when skipper Jason McAteer fired home with a powerful shot after Walsall had failed to clear their lines properly.

Walsall refused to let their heads drop and attacked straight from the restart, with Merson once more heavily involved, and as the ball found its way to Leitao just outside the area, he fired in a sweet shot that struck the post and bounced away from danger.

There was a blow as new boy McShane was forced out of the action after picking up a knock in the build-up to the visitors' goal. He was replaced at right-back by Mark Wright.

The visitors were defending resolutely to hold onto their lead with The Saddlers unable to cause them too many real problems. Emblen picked up the ball in midfield with around 15 minutes to go and his shot landed just wide of the target as we failed to find the spark that we had in the opening period.

The killer, decisive goal finally arrived with around five minutes to go as Ryan Taylor hit a hopeful shot that found its way beyond the despairing dive of former Tranmere man Joe Murphy after taking a deflection along the way.

It was a sloppy end to the game for Walsall and Aranalde was booked for a foul before the final action saw a direct run by Rovers substitute, Danny Harrison end with him getting in a shot that Murphy pushed out.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography