THE SADDLERS lost 2-0 to Southend United as our four-game unbeaten run came to an end at a sunny Banks's Stadium.

Walsall started by keeping good possession of the ball without hurting our opponents and it was Southend who had the first shot at goal when Mark Gower found space on the left before seeing his shot pushed out by Clayton Ince as Rhys Weston cleared the loose ball.

At the other end, David McDermott held the ball up well on the edge of the area but his shot was blocked.

On 12 minutes, Steve Collis in The Shrimpers' goal failed to deal with a corner as Peter Clarke was forced to clear from right in front of goal.

After Bradley saw yellow, Daniel Fox's free-kick was met with a flicked header that Collis did well to tip over the crossbar as the resulting corner caused him more problems.

A sweeping move across The Saddlers' area just past the half-hour mark ended with Nicky Bailey firing just wide as the visitors looked to step up a pace.

Shortly afterwards, Bradley did well to charge down a Collis clearance as Tommy Mooney fed McDermott who saw his low effort saved by the 'keeper.

The visitors took the lead on 37 minutes when a dangerous corner into the six-yard box saw Clarke come up from the back to power a header home.

A change at half-time saw Darren Wrack replace McDermott, but it took Southend just four minutes to double their advantage when The Saddlers were caught out as Leon Clarke was able to fire home from close range.

A looping header from Michael Dobson landed just over before Troy Deeney was replaced by Alex Nicholls.

An inviting ball from Edrissa Sonko was headed back across goal by Mooney but no-one was on hand to profit and the opportunity was lost.

In the next attack, Mooney put another header across the face of goal as this time Bradley just missed making a connection..

It was to be Bradley's last contribution as he was replaced by Paul Hall.

With 20 minutes to go, a foul on Mooney gave Walsall a free-kick in a dangerous position which Fox fired powerfully into the defensive wall.

A lose header back required Ince to save bravely at the feet of Clarke, whilst at the other end, Mooney set Hall racing away and he cut inside Lewis Hunt before firing straight at Collis.

As the clock ticked down, The Saddlers couldn't find a way back into the game. A cross from Sonko in injury time was met by a volley from Wrack that flew over.

At the same time Fox and Peter Clarke were squaring up to each other following a committed challenge in the build-up.

In the end, The Saddlers' unbeaten run came to an end against well-organised opposition.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography