THE SADDLERS won for the first time this season as a late Troy Deeney goal gave us a deserved victory at Millwall.

The action started with Dave Brammer threading a neat ball through to Gary Alexander who beat the offside trap only to drag his shot wide as he closed in on Clayton Ince's goal.

Then a free-kick pumped into The Saddlers' penalty area saw Ince gather at the second attempt under pressure from Alexander before the giant 'keeper pushed out Alexander's shot on the turn in the next attack on eight minutes.

Having soaked up some early pressure, Richard Money's men looked to get into the game as Anthony Gerrard, playing once more in a central midfield role, set Paul Hall away in chase by his eventual shot was easy for Rab Douglas, making his debut in The Lions' goal, to gather.

At the other end, Ince did well to block at close range from the lively Ryan Smith's effort at the far post.

On the half-hour mark, Ince was almost caufght out by the experienced Neil Harris, but he managed to recover and touch the ball wide.

The Saddlers were having to defend resolutely with some hard-working displays all over the field, none more so than Ian Roper who shortly after pulling off a superb challenge to halt Alexander's progress, got his head in the way of a screaming shot.

The no-nonsense defender tried to get to his feet, but he was clearly dazed and had to leave field to be replaced by Edrissa Sonko as Gerrard reverted back into the heart of the back-line alongside Scott Dann.

It was was who took the lead shortly after the change when substitute Sonko crossed from the right and as Douglas failed to claim, Darren Wrack was able to head back across goal to Daniel Fox whose overhead-kick found its way into the net for his second goal of the season.

There was just time for one more Walsall attack as a deep cross by Fox found Sonko at the far post but his effort from a tight angle was saved by Douglas.

The second period started with skipper Martin Butler seeing yellow for a foul. Then some neat play by The Saddlers ended with Paul Boertien crossing invitingly towards Danny Sonner whose deft header was off target from a good position.

With Hall off to be placed by Ishmel Demontagnac, the home side tried to up the tempo in a bid to get back into the game and Jay Simpson  went close with a shot that dipped just over.

At the other end, Sonko's cross into the box came out to Fox via Wrack but he dragged his attempt wide of the mark.

With just seven minutes on the clock, Millwall managed to grab an equaliser when a cross from the right was seized upon by Andrew Frampton who reacted quickest to guide the ball beyond Ince.

In the wake of the goal, Troy Deeney was introduced in place of Demontagnac as The Saddlers shuffled the pack. It proved to be a masterstroke by Money as within seconds, Sonner had set Sonko away down the right and his cross from near the by-line was perfect for Deeney who was in the right place at the right time to tuck the ball home from close range.

It sent the Walsall players and loyal travelling contingent wild with delight and was richly-deserved.

Butler could have added a third in injury time at the end as he was given space through the middle only for his shot to be pushed out by Douglas.

The final whistle sounded shortly afterwards to give us our first win of the season.