MATTY Fryatt's goal was the difference as The Saddlers battled out a good three points in a 1-0 victory over a Hartlepool United side who have done well on their travels this term.

Some early Walsall pressure saw Daryl Taylor loop a ball back into the danger zone after a corner was partially cleared, where Julian Bennett found space to win a header, but the ball was just too high for Alex Nicholls, who was making his first senior start.

At the other end some desperate defending saw The Saddlers scramble clear under pressure before the visitors' on-loan front-man, Dean McDonald cut inside and hit a low shot that Joe Murphy blocked at his near post.

The Saddlers won a couple of free-kicks in dangerous positions mid-way through the half. Firstly, after a foul on Bennett, Paul Merson curled one to the far post where the ball was headed clear. The next one, from a more central position, saw Merson go for goal, but Dimitrios Konstantopoulos in the Hartlepool goal was equal to it as he pushed the ball over.

Chances were few and far between at either end as defences were very much on top as the half wore on. A towering header from Anthony Gerrard following a corner was easy for the 'keeper as the first half ended goalless.

The visitors came out brightly for the second period and within a minute there was a chance for the lively McDonald who hit a low shot narrowly wide.

Skipper Daniel Fox was forced to go off in the 52nd minute after taking a knock on the ankle, he was replaced by Kris Taylor.

Three minutes later and there was a booking for Bennett for a reckless lunge right in front of the referee.

There was a scary moment for Konstantopoulos when he dallied too long on the ball and he was duly robbed by Matty Fryatt. The young striker was taken out wide but still managed to find Merson who fired well over.

A corner for Walsall on the hour-mark saw Daryl Taylor pick up the loose ball and hit a sweet strike that the 'keeper managed to push out as it came at him through a crowd of players. The clearance was completed by his defence as the opportunity was lost.

Simon Osborn picked up a booking for speaking out of turn before a fine effort from distance by Kris Taylor saw the ball dip just over the crossbar. Then shortly afterwards at the other end, Thomas Butler tried his luck but his strike was wayward.

Both defences remained on top as the game wore on as the crowd searched for something to warm them up on what was a chilly December afternoon.

That spark came on 84 minutes as a fine first time ball from Merson set Fryatt racing away and he produced a cool low finish out of the top drawer to give The Saddlers the lead.

Lifted by the goal, Nicholls went on a pacy run that ended with the 18 year-old hitting a low shot that took a wicked deflection and made it easy for Konstantopoulos to gather.

In the end Walsall held on to claim three hard-earned points and set us up for the busy programme of festive matches that lie ahead.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography.