Walsall put in a disappointing performance at Meadow Lane going down 1-2 with two good strikes from Lee Hughes and Cristian Montano with captain Andy Butler scoring for The Saddlers. As early as the second minute Notts County should have taken the lead but montano hit the base of the post. Butler picked up a booking after 4 minutes from a referee who was far too fussy throughout.
There was an injury blow for Walsall when Claude Gnakpa couldn't continue and Alex Nicholls was his replacement. Notts looked to test Walsall's defence at will and test young keeper David Grof who is still standing in for Jimmy Walker. On 39 minutes County did take the lead thanks to a brilliant strike from Lee Hughes who tucked away his hardest chance. He had already come close with a header and two or three half chances but this was a terific shot on the turn and just what the Saddlers didn't want to see- Hughes was booed and rubbished each time he touched the ball.
The second half saw an improvement from the visitors with a bit more purpose about their play and on 61 minutes got back into the game though Andy Butler who threw himself at the ball from a free kick and headed Saddlers level.
It didn't last long and four minutes later the game was won by Notts County when Montano out muscled full back Darryl Westlake and fired home. The home team understandably ran down the clock and hung on leaving the 800 plus travelling army disappointed. Saddlers are now 14th and need to start picking up wins. There are two home games this week so hopefully a six point return will get Walsall's season going again.
