Shrewsbury 1-3 Walsall: Match Report

Walsall straight back in the Saddle after Dean Smith departureWalsall climbed to third in Sky Bet League One as they began life without former manager Dean Smith with an impressive 3-1 win at Shrewsbury.Smith accepted the chance to take over at Brentford on the eve of the Saddlers' trip to the Greenhous Meadow - but the side he put together hit back from a goal down to beat 10-man Shrewsbury.Walsall made an assured start and the classy Romaine Sawyers was unfortunate to see his 20-yard shot hit a post.But Shrewsbury gradually came into the game and Larnell Cole gave them a 41st-minute lead.Cole, on loan from Fulham, ran onto a clever pass from Scott Vernon to drill past advancing keeper Neil Etheridge.Shrewsbury then squandered a fine chance to double their advantage when top scorer James Collins blasted wide from six yards after Etheridge had saved from Sullay Kaikai.Walsall made the most of their reprieve to pull level right on half-time when Milan Lalkovic fired in from just outside the penalty area.The game turned Walsall's way 18 minutes from time when Shrewsbury midfielder Ian Black was sent off for a second bookable offence.Walsall made their extra man count as Paul Downing headed in a Kieron Morris corner in the 80th minute and then a slick counter-attack in stoppage time ended with sub Jordan Cook firing high into the net from 12 yards to complete a good night's work for the Saddlers.

Source: PA