THE SADDLERS returned to the top of the League Two table with a 2-1 win at Bristol Rovers.

On a bright and sunny afternoon, there was a quiet opening to the game, however Walsall raced into the lead with our first effort on goal in the seventh minute when Martin Butler was fouled just inside the Rovers' half and Michael Dobson floated a free-kick into the danger zone which was met by a deft header from Scott Dann to beat the advancing Steve Phillips.

Dann was making his first start and lined up in his more familar central defensive role, but this was his third goal of the season.

A probing run by Hector Sam on ten minutes saw him win a corner which was curled in dangerously by Mark Wright onto the head of Dann, but this time he was off target.

Richard Money was forced into a change on the quarter-hour mark when Ian Roper took a knock and gingerly hobbled out of the action to be replaced by Craig Pead.

The home side were starting to see more of the ball and a cross from Sammy Igoe in the 23rd minute was headed wide at the far post by Sandell. In the next attack, Dann had to be alert to block well from Aaron Lescott before Clayton Ince grabbed the resulting corner at the second attempt.

An inviting ball into the box by Kris Taylor was headed out in front of the awaiting Butler and from the corner kick that followed, Daniel Fox found space to plant a header beyond Phillips and make it 2-0.

Just two minutes later, The Saddlers had Ince to thank for a brave double-save as he denied Rickie Lambert before keeping out the follow-up through a crowd of players whilst on the ground.

With half-time approaching, Sam and Butler linked up well just on the edge of the area only for the latter to see his shot have the sting taken out of it by the Rovers' defence, allowing Phillips to gather without too many problems.

On the stroke of half-time, Sandell fired well over as the home side couldn't find a way back into the game.

The first real opening of the second period fell to Haldane who for once got the better of Dan inside the area, but from a toght angle fired well wide of the target.

Tony Bedeau came on to replace Mark Wright on 55 minutes before Dean Keates attempted a powerful drive which was blocked by the home defence.

A sweeping move by Walsall saw Sam thread a ball through to Fox who couldn't get enough power on his shot as he came under pressure and the opportunity to seal the game was lost.

It was to be Sam's last contribution of a hard-working display as he was replaced by the fit-again Carlos Fangueiro.

After Lambert had seen a shot fly over, a header out by the impressive Dann had fallen to Igoe who tried his luck from distance but it was never going to trouble Ince.

In a half of few real chances, Ince made a number of routine catches from Rovers crosses before denying Haldane in the 88th minute with a fine one-handed stop at his near post. As the ball was delivered back into the danger zone, Dann was on hand to head clear right in front of his own goal.

The home side managed to pull a goal back a minute into stoppage time when The Saddlers failed to properly clear their lines and Sandell rifled in a powerful shot from just outside the area.

The Saddlers hung on to claim three vital points and send the 508 travelling fans home happy.