Saddlers take derby honours
Walsall leapfrogged Coventry City into second place in Sky Bet League One by deservedly handing the Sky Blues their first defeat of the season with a 2-1 win at the Banks's Stadium.
Goals by Anthony Forde and Tom Bradshaw had given the Saddlers a two-goal lead before Jacob Murphy pulled one back for Coventry in a thrilling local derby.
In a lively opening, Walsall were first to threaten when Sam Mantom tried his luck from 25 yards, but Lee Burge made a comfortable save.
As the Sky Blues hit back, Jim O'Brien had a free-kick smothered by home keeper Neil Etheridge before Milan Lalkovic saw a low drive cleared off the line in the 18th minute by Sam Ricketts.
The Saddlers went ahead in the 40th minute when Forde ran onto a through ball from Lalkovic and drilled a low shot past the advancing Burge.
Burge couldn't hold a rasping drive from Lalkovic in the 52nd minute and Bradshaw was quickest to react and volley home his fifth goal of the season.
Coventry fought back and Murphy raised their hopes with a spectacular shot in off the far post on 56 minutes but the Saddlers, unbeaten in both the league and cup, never looked like conceding again.
Source: PA
