THE SADDLERS threw away a 2-1 half-time lead to lose 3-2 at Staffordshire rivals, Port Vale as youth teamer, Ishmel Demontagnac marked his first-team debut with a fine goal.

At a breezy Vale Park, a cagey opening saw Walsall's first chance arrive in the seventh minute as Michael Standing was allowed to make progress towards goal before hitting a shot that was easy for Mark Goodlad in the home goal to gather.

Within a minute The Saddlers found themselves a goal behind as the home side broke sharply and former Walsall man, Danny Sonner picked out Birchall in space on the far side and he was able to fire the ball through the exposed John Ruddy.

Walsall attempted to hit back and Simon Osborn was allowed time to line up a shot from distance on 13 minutes but his swirling effort failed to seriously test the 'keeper.

With both loan signing, Simon Gillett and youngster Ishmel Demontagnac making their Football League debuts, The Saddlers had a very youthful look, but both players settled in well and it was Gillett's marauding run down the left on 22 minutes that saw him deliver an inviting cross that no-one was on hand to capitalise upon.

As we started to get on top, the equalising goal duly arrived on 24 minutes when Demontagnac showed good skill to get to the by-line and attempt to pick out Jorge Leitao but in his deserpation to clear ahead of the Portuguese front-man, Sam Collins diverted the ball into his own net.

It was a deserved goal and we could have notched another soon afterwards when Osborn's teasing free-kick was headed wide by Paul Smith at the near post.

Our second goal finally arrived on 35 minutes when Demontagnac, who was growing in confidence as the game went on, picked up a loose ball and beat a couple of players before curling a sweet shot home beyond Goodlad.

It sent the travelling Saddlers' faithful wild with delight and they almost had more to celebrate on 39 minutes when Leitao picked out Gillett who fired a powerful left-footed shot wide.

At the other end there was a real let-off when Birchall crossed onto the head of Michael Cummins who saw his effort strike the crossbar and bounce out as Smith completed the clearance on the line.

There was another scare within a minute as Ruddy was required to save right on the goal-line from Billy Paynter who was picked out by Cornes.

The last incident of the half saw Daniel Fox booked for a foul on Paynter who had just gone close again for the home side.

The second half started with some good link-up play between Demontagnac and Leitao ending with the latter hitting a shot that was saved, then Gillett tried his luck shortly afterwards but his effort had the sting took out of it on its way through to the 'keeper.

Port Vale got back on level terms on 57 minutes when Birchall got past Fox and Osborn all too easily before hitting a shot that was too hot for Ruddy to hold and Mulligan was the quickest to react to the loose ball as he forced the ball over the line from close range for a scrappy and disappointing goal to concede.

Fox took a knock that required treatment and although he came back onto the field briefly he was eventually replaced by Julian Bennett. The substitute was soon involved in the action as he picked up a pass from Demontagnac before getting to the by-line and crossing low. Sadly, no-one was on hand to capitalise.

New-boys Gillett and Demontagnac were replaced with 25 minutes to go and the teenage pair can be pleased with their contribution as they acquitted themselves well. Kris Taylor and Dario Larrosa replaced them.

Within minutes of joining the action, Larrosa had put a deft header just wide as Smith did well to cross from right on the by-line. At the other end, Birchall was also unlucky with a header at the far post that fell just off target.

The Saddlers were guilty of sitting back too much and giving the home side too much time and it wasn't long before Vale got their noses back in front as Paynter crossed from the right and Cornes capitalised upon some hesitation to find the net for his second goal in as many games.

After Vale had gone close with a long range effort, Smith headed on a long ball into the danger zone towards Leitao but he was just beaten to it in front of goal. The resulting corners caused some degree of panic for the home side and the second of which was headed over from a very ghood position at the far post by skipper Chris Westwood.

As Walsall pressed for an equaliser, Wright's long curling ball into the box saw Larrosa get in front of his marker but his connection made it easy for the 'keeper to gather and with it went any real hope Paul Merson's men had of getting something from the game.