THE SADDLERS lost their proud unbeaten League run with an undeserved defeat at Carlisle United.

There was a brisk start to proceedings on a chilly February afternoon. With four minutes on the clock, Edrissa Sonko did well to win the ball in the middle of the park and find Tommy Mooney. The skipper in turn switched play to debut boy, Kevin Betsy who forced a corner that came to nothing.

After Scott Dobie hit an effort just wide for the home side, The Saddlers had to defend in numbers in front of their own goal as Joe Garner made his presence felt.

There was another chance for Carlisle after Mark Bradley was dispossessed in midfield and Cleveland Taylor - who was making his first start for The Cumbrians following his move from Scunthorpe United - hit a shot that was well held by Clayton Ince.

On 19 minutes Bradley made a positive forward run which saw the fall fall loose to Darren Wrack who hit a curling low shot that was pushed out by Westwood in the home goal.

Richard Money's men started to increase the pressure and Lee Holmes' corner caused problems for the 'keeper as the ball went out for another flag-kick on the opposite side. This time Carlisle were able to clear their iines.

It wasn't long before The Saddlers got their noses in front when Mooney found Holmes who turned sharply and arrowed a shot home to send the travelling contingent wild with delight.

In the wake of the goal, Bradley had to hobble out of the action due to an earlier knock and was replaced by youngster, Richard Taundry.

The goal acted to liven up the home side and just before the half-hour, Dobie put a header straight at Ince as he found space inside the area. Ince then did well to tip over Lumsden's long-range effort.

A Holmes corner fell out to Wrack whose strike was blocked and this set up a counter-attack which ended with Marc Bridge-Wilkinson's shot being blocked at close range by former Carlisle man, Paul Boertien. The assistant referee flagged to award the home side a penalty kick much to the dismay of the Walsall players.

It was Bridge-Wilkinson who stepped up to slot home and level the scores.

The Saddlers defended well in the closing stages of the first half whilst also attempting to play football whenever possible.

The second period started with an invited ball to the far post by Rhys Weston headed back by Mooney into the path of Sonko who snatched at his effort and fired over the crossbar.

Troy Deeney replaced Wrack before Betsy and then a low drive from Taundry went close.

At the other end, Bridge-Wilkinson put in an inviting ball which found the head of Dobie but Ince was able to claim.

There was a real let-off for The Cumbrians when Weston linked up with Mooney who in turn threaded through Betsy and he took the ball around the advancing Westwood before pulling back into the path of Deeney in an excellent position in front of goal. His effort lacked conviction and was cleared off the line.

The Saddlers were on top and looked the more likely side until Ince's quick throw-out in search of Holmes was cut out by the experienced Bridge-Wilkinson who crossed for Danny Graham and he guided the ball underneath the body of Ince with a Carlisle player appearing to be in an offside position as the ball came into the danger zone.

Ince did well to hold onto a powerful strike from outside the area as a corner was only half-cleared.

David McDermott replaced Betsy and as we searched for an equaliser, Sonko's strike through a crowd of players was deflected for a corner which was eventually cleared under pressure.

With time running out, Deeney pulled a shot wide, whilst at the other end, Ince failed to hole onto a high cross as Boertien had to scramble clear in front of goal ahead of Graham.

In the end, there was no way back for Walsall as we lost for the first time in the League since October.