DESPITE dominating the second period, The Saddlers returned home from the long journey to Gillingham pointless following a 2-1 defeat.

Some brave defending by Walsall in the sixth minute saw Bentley's effort blocked, however the home side managed to get their noses in front just before the quarter-hour mark when a counter-attack by The Gills saw a long ball forward strike Delroy Facey and fall nicely into the path of Gary Mulligan who swept home beyond Clayton Ince.

The Saddlers failed to let their heads drop and were soon back on level terms when Martin Butler fed Daniel Fox whose sweet left-footed strike flew into the top corner, giving the experienced Simon Royce no chance whatsoever.

After Ince had denied the bustling Facey, youngster Mark Bradley, who was making his first start of the season in the heart of the side in place of the injured Danny Sonner, just failed to connect to an inviting low ball into tthe area by Darren Wrack.

Gillingham regaained the lead in the 34th minute when Facey once more made his presence felt to link up with strike partner, Mulligan who in turn managed to lift the ball over the advancing Ince.

With their tails up, Mulligan went close again moments later but this time he put the ball onto the top of the crossbar.

As the half came to a close, Butler and Wrack combined to set up Troy Deeney who turned sharply and hit a shot that was clawed wide by Royce. Then Butler used his strength to win the ball following some indecision amongst the Gills' back-line but he dragged the ball across the face of goal and no-one was on hand to capitalise.

Early in the second period Edrissa Sonko came on to replace Michael Dobson and the Gambian International certainly injected some life into The Saddlers.

His trickery played in Deeney who in turn picked out Rhys Weston in spec on the edge of the area, but he blazed over from a good position.

Then a deft touch from Butler played in the reliable Paul Boertien whose low cross fell into the path of Sonko but he snatched at the ball and missed the target.

It was a positive start to the second half by Walsall who were asking all the questions and Royce again had to be alert to push out Butler's strike after he was played in over the top.

At the other end, Facey's deft attempt was held by Ince, whilst there were two changes by Richard Money in quick succession as firstly Ishmel Demontagnac replaced Deeney and then Paul Hall came on in place of Bradley.

Wth the clock ticking down, Demontagnac's corner was headed out only as far as Wrack whose volley struck the post and rebounded to safety for the home side.

The home faithful breathed a huge sigh of relief as their side hung on and in stoppage time, Anthony Gerrard's header lacked the pacee to trouble Royce took much as Butler looked to seize upon any loose ball.

In the end, Walsall deserved to take something from the game but it wasn't to be.