TWO FINE strikes from Saddlers' skipper, Dean Keates won the day as Hartlepool United went home with a 2-0 defeat.

The game started with Ian Roper given a stern talking to by the referee on six minutes following a late challenge. The resulting free-kick saw Ben Clark come up from the back to harmlessly head over.

Shortly afterwards Joel Porter put an effort wide before Clark had another header on ten minutes from a corner that was saved on the line by Clayton Ince as the visitors made their presence felt early on.

At the other end, a teasing cross from Kris Taylor was spilled by Dimitrios Konstantopoulos in the Hartlepool goal as Dean Keates fired the loose ball over.

With 15 minutes on the clock, Mark Wright tried a long range effort that was on target but easy for the 'keeper, but Keates went one better three minutes later as he found the net with a superb strike that flew past the 'keeper after Hector Sam ran at the visitors' defence before teeing up the skipper - who was making his first start of the season.

Hartlepool hit back straight away and won a rather dubious penalty as Anthony Gerrard brought Eifion Williams down. It appeared as though the incident took place just outside the area, but the referee had no hesitation in pointing to the spot. Justice was done when Ince produced a fine save to deny Gavin Strachan.

It was to prove a costly miss as Keates notched his second goal just before the half-hour mark with another sweetly struck shot that this time flew low into the net beyond Konstantopoulos' despairing dive.

A dangerous ball across the face of the goal by Wright just evaded Daniel Fox at the far post as the ball deflected out for a corner off the Hartlepool defence.

The last action of the half saw Sam set Martin Butler away and despite being out-numbered he still managed to get in a shot that flew over the crossbar.

As part of the Family Fun Day celebrations, there was a presentation of former Saddlers' legends at half-time with the likes of Alan Roper, Ken Hodgkisson, Alan Baker, George Meek, Mick Evans, Bill Guttridge, Dave Serella, Colin Harrison and Stan Jones all receiving a warm round of applause.

A couple of minutes into the second period, Sam tried a neat shot on the turn that lacked the necessary power to trouble the 'keeper too much.

Some good battling by former Pool skipper, Chris Westwood denied Ritchie Humphries as he then did enough to put Porter off as he looked to capitalise upon the loose ball inside the area.

A deft header from Strachan landed inches wide with Ince scrambling across his goal before a slip by Gerrard almost proved costly just past the hour as it let in young substitute, James Brown who closed in on goal but missed the target with the imposing figure of Ince before him.

It was a real let-off for Walsall who failed to get into gear at the start of the second period. There was a double change on 68 minutes with Hector Sam replaced by James Constable and Mark Kinsella forced to limp out of the action following a heavy challenge, to be replaced by Craig Pead as Westwood moved forward into a midfield role.

With 20 minutes to go, Gerrard let fly from distance but the ball was always rising and ended up in amongst The Saddlers' faithful behind the goal.

An inviting Wright cross was met by the head of Butler at the far post but he failed to get any direction on the ball before Constable used his strength to hold off a couple of defender just outside the area as he got in a low effort that crept wide.

Butler was replaced by youngster Ishmel Demontagnac as the clock ticked down. Richard Money's men almost extended their lead when a fine cross from Taylor was met by the head of Constable but he was just off target.

At the other end, a dangerous ball flashed across the face of goal with no-one on hand to profit before the fine minute saw Demontagnac booked for a couple of reckless challenges.

As the final whistle blew, The Saddlers made it three wins and three clean sheets in our oprning three games to give us plenty of confidence as we head to Lincoln City next weekend.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography.