The Saddlers suffered another defeat at St James Park, Exeter but for most of the game Walsall were the better team which frustrated the manager, the players and the fans alike. A 2-1 reverse may be seen as another nail in the coffin but the players couldn't be faulted for their effort and desire to try and get something from this game.
Yet Walsall found themselves a goal down after just 2 minutes when Richard Duffy pounced following an almighty scramble for the ball following a free kick.Walsall's heads didn't go down and they kept plugging away with the 161 fans who had made the trip fully behind the players.
At the start of the second half Richard Taundry shot wide from fairly close range when it looked easier to score. As hard as Walsall tried the ball was simply not going their way. When Daniel Nardiello doubled the home side's lead and were then awarded a penalty it started to look a bit grim for Saddlers but Jimmy Walker pulled off a smart save from Nardiello's spot kick then soon after Julian Gray scrambled a goal back it was very much 'game on'.
The clock ran down and the Saddlers couldn't find the net again so returned home from Devon without a point. Manager Dean Smith has enlisted the help of Chris Nicholl who will be a welcome wise head to call upon. Walsall have two home games this week against Oldham Athletic and Bristol Rovers. With the gap now as much as 9 points to the safety zone nothing less than maximum points from those two games will help Walsall's cause.
