STUNNING first-half strikes from Daniel Fox and Chris Westwood made light work of promotion-chasing Peterborough United as we commenced the New Year in superb style.

The Saddlers broke the deadlock through Fox on the quarter-hour mark when the former Everton full-back saw his fierce free-kick smash into Paul Rachubka's net.

Westwood doubled our advantage nine minutes later when he struck a sweet left-footed volley into the top corner to send the travelling contingent wild with delight. And only an 11th-hour tackle from Mark Arber prevented Martin Butler, without a goal since September, adding a third in the final stages of a convincing away success.

Martin Butler's brace saw us overcome struggling Grimsby Town and extend our lead at the top of League Two to six points in front of the Sky Sports cameras.

The visitors, managed by Fellows Park hero, Alan Buckley - in his third spell at the club - tasted defeat in their previous four fixtures and had goalkeeper Phil Barnes to thank for preventing the impressive Scott Dann giving his side an early lead.

Butler grabbed his first goal since September mid-way through the first-half when he headed home an excellent cross from strike partner Hector Sam.

Grimsby battled hard for the equaliser but their efforts came to no avail as Butler became king of the goalscoring charts once again; netting from three yards after Barnes parried a firm header from Swedish debutant Par Cederqvist into his path.

Mansfield Town came from behind to inflict only our second away setback of the campaign thanks to goals from new strike pair Barry Conlon and Martin Gritton.

Signed from League Two rivals Darlington and Lincoln City respectively, the duo were making their Field Mill debut but could do nothing about the opener. Ian Roper got his name on the scoresheet for the fourth time this season by tapping in from close range on just nine minutes.

Back came the hosts though; Conlon thumping home Stephen Dawson's cross. The Saddlers were clearly below par and paid the price for a poor performance when Gritton got the better of Clayton Ince to score the winner mid-way through the second-half.

We were held to a draw by lowly Boston United the following Saturday after a Scott Dann own goal cancelled out Martin Butler's opener.

The former Reading and Rotherham United front-man broke the deadlock straight from Clayton Ince's colossal kick with 19 minutes on the watch.

Butler pounced on some hesitant Boston defending and fired home strike number three of 2007 to the delight of the Bescot faithful.

However, against the run of play, Steve Evans' men were back on level terms just six minutes later when a Jamie Clarke cross found its way into the back of the net via the unfortunate Dann.

In the end neither side looked worthy winners and were forced to settle for a frustrating point apiece.

January ended on a high as the Saddlers finally got the better of Macclesfield Town to open up some much-needed breathing space at the summit of League Two.

New Silkmen signing Adam Murray made the worst possible start to his debut by handling in the area after merely 32 seconds.

Midfield dynamo Dean Keates stepped up and coolly slotted home our first penalty of the campaign. Macclesfield rallied for the equaliser, Danny Swailes taking paint off the woodwork with a fierce header, but were left to rue missed opportunities as Keates grabbed his second late on with a fine free-kick.

BEN LOWE