Second-half goals from Andy Taylor and Sam Mantom earned Walsall a 2-1 away win over Rochdale at Spotland Stadium in League One this evening.
Walsall might have found themselves ahead after a matter of minutes, but Tom Bradshaw saw his early effort blocked on its way to goal.
The away side continued to threaten in the opening passages of play, and Paul Downing spurned a good chance for Walsall when he produced a tame header that was kept out by Josh Lillis.
Rochdale's first major chance did not arrive until after 20 minutes, as Peter Vincenti found himself with enough space to produce a shot that crept wide to the left of the target.
Walsall came back once more as they tried to cap off a dominant first half with a goal, only for Mantom to be denied adroitly at the bottom left corner by Lillis.
Dean Smith's charges started the second half in much the same fashion as the first, Kieron Morris appearing wasteful with a poor effort that flew wide from just six yards out.
Rochdale found it difficult to muster much in front of goal, and it took a long-distance effort from Joe Bunney to get the home fans excited.
It took all of 65 minutes for the game to see an opening goal and it unsurprisingly came from Walsall, who had Taylor to thank as he made use of Milan Lalkovic's effective ball.
With a goal lead to their name, the travelling team wrapped up the three points just a few minutes later, with Mantom producing a memorable strike from distance.
Rochdale were able to pull a goal back through Calvin Andrew with 10 minutes to play, but it proved to be a mere consolation as Walsall held on to claim an important away win.
Christopher Dodd
