Walsall's brave four game unbeaten run came to an end at the Banks's Stadium thanks to a 0-1 defeat to Bournemouth but nobody could deny that The Saddlers deserved a share of the points against promotion chasing Cherries who provided Walsall with a stiff challenge.
The winning goal came from Michael Symes from a corner which should in fact have been a goal kick which made the goal an even more bitter pill to swallow. The Saddlers should have had a penalty in the second half when on-line striker Jason Price was fouled by Shaun Cooper yet amazingly this was missed by the referee.
Shuan Jalal in the Bournemouth goal had to make a couple of good saves to keep his side's lead in tact as Walsall kept plugging away on a couple of occasions having to finger-tip the ball over the bar. Price hit the bar when it looked far easier to score.
In the fifth minute of time added-on Matt Richards crashed a free kick against the bar and the ball came thundering back into play. Seconds later the final whistle went and that incident just about summed up Walsall's day. Again the players trooped off to a standing ovation as the fans can see the marked change to the team under Dean Smith.
This defeat leaves Walsall in 23rd spot five points behind the 20th placed club so a win against Dagenham next up is absolutely vital now.
