A SECOND half strike from Ferrie Bodde was the difference between the two teams as The Saddlers lost 1-0 at League One leaders, Swansea City.

The early action saw a fourth minute corner clicked on to Troy Deeney who found space at the far post, however his strike from a tight angle flew well over.

Then a deep cross from the left by Lee Holmes was headed goalwards by Kevin Betsy but his effort was held by the 'keeper.

The Saddlers were giving themselves a solid base on which to build with Ian Roper and skipper for the night, Anthony Gerrard in no-nonsense mood against a lively attack.

Leading scorer, Jason Scotland turned Gerrard on 21 minutes to set up a shooting chance for himself but Paul Boertien was alert to make a timely block.

The home side were seeing plenty of the ball but Walsall were defending resolutely. A long-range effort from The Swans was saved in unorthodox fashion by Clayton Ince's feet before Alan Tate's header back across goal from a corner was gathered near the line by Ince under pressure from Scotland.

There was an excellent blocking tackle from Roper on 44 minutes as the tricky Leon Britton looked to turn defence into attack, whilst the half ended with Edrissa Sonko losing possession in the middle as Scotland evaded the attentions of Roper to get in a low shot that just flashed wide of the far post.

Richard Money's men started the second half in positive fashion with Richard Taundry's effort tipped over before the resulting corner was eventually crossed into the danger zone by Holmes as Deeney got ahead of his marker to fire wide.

The home side got their noses in front when Bodde was allowed to line up a shot which he curled beyond Ince from distance.

At the other end, Sonko dragged a shot wide before Alassane N'Dour replaced Alex Nicholls.

There was a further change for The Saddlers when Ishmel Demontagnac entered the action in place of Taundry.

A sharp move by The Swans ended with Andy Robinson's effort well pushed away by Ince as Roper was on hand to clear the loose ball.

With 72 minutes on the clock, a free-kick from Holmes was flicked on by Gerrard but Betsy's instinctive effort was off target.

A positive run by Demontagnac saw him twist and turn his way into the penalty area and after holding off the close attentions of his marker, he snatched at his shot which hit the side-netting.

The home side managed to break away with ten minutes left before switching the play to the right where Thomas Butler's progress was ended by Gerrard and the referee pointed to the penalty spot.

With regular taker, Scotland already substituted, Darren Pratley stepped up and saw his kick well saved by Ince who dived to his right.

It gave Walsall fresh hope for the closing stages but we just couldn't find the necessary cutting edge to break down a well-organised Swansea side.

Betsy and N'Dour were both booked late on for handball and kicking the ball away respectively as the 235 travelling supporters applauded their side off the field at the end.