Walsall 2-1 West Brom

Leitao turns away after scoring the opener

Walsall 2-1 West Brom

Newly-promoted Walsall took the honours in this derby as Albion failed to impress.

Albion seemed to be missing Lee Hughes who ironically scored on his debut for Coventry.

Walsall rode their luck but took the lead in the 37th minute when new Brazilian winger Moreira Erivelto raced past Neil Clement before crossing a beauty for Portuguese striker Jorge Leitao to head past Russell Hoult.

Before then both sides had missed chances - former Carlisle striker Scott Dobie turning quickly to drive just over the bar for Albion in the seventh minute.

But Walsall went even closer four minutes later, Anthony Barras heading down a Tom Bennett free-kick for Leitao to smash against the near post.

Deserved equaliser

That brought a quick response from Albion with Bob Taylor releasing Derek McInnes, who struck a beauty from 20 yards which James Walker saved brilliantly.

Walsall might have had a penalty when Tony Butler whipped away the legs of Pedro Matias in the 24th minute.

After Walsall had taken the lead, Albion almost equalised within a minute, a cracker from Dobie almost knocking the alert Walker off his feet.

Albion got the equaliser they deserved in the 56th minute, Neil Clement hammering in a stunning free kick from 25 yards.

But Walsall bounced back to regain the lead and win the match six minutes later.

Barras saw a fierce header from Dean Keates' free-kick blocked by Hoult, but he was first to the rebound to poke the ball over the line.

Albion had one more real chance to save a point in the 66th minute, Taylor putting Appleton clear, but once again the remarkable Walker went down to pull off a terrific save and clinch three points for his team.

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Walsall: Walker, Gadsby, Tillson, Barras, Aranalde, Erivelto, Keates, Bennett, Matias, Leitao, Byfield. Subs: Harper, Brightwell, Goodman, Ofodile, Simpson.

West Brom: Hoult, Butler, Gilchrist, Sigurdsson, Balis, Appleton, McInnes, Jordao, Clement, Taylor, Dobie. Subs: Jensen, Fox, Cummings, Quinn, Adam Chambers.

Referee: U Rennie