West Brom 1-0 Walsall

West Brom fans paid tribute to the late Jeff Astle

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Jason Roberts boosted West Brom's promotion hopes with a vital winner to earn their first-ever league success over Walsall.

Roberts struck four minutes before the break at the Hawthorns to lift the Baggies back into the Nationwide Division One play-off places.

The striker, who wore a T-shirt bearing a picture of Albion legend Jeff Astle, who died on Saturday night, lashed home a superb shot from a Daniele Dichio knock-down.

The goal moved Albion up to fifth place after only their second league win in seven outings, while Walsall remain in the bottom three.

It was a tight game but we deserved to win

West Brom boss Gary Megson

It was a fitting reward as Albion showed the greater threat throughout, Roberts earlier having an angled drive well saved by Walsall keeper James Walker.

Walker also denied Phil Gilchrist a goal when he tipped over a cracking shot from the Baggies defender.

After the break Gary Megson's men continued to hold the edge and in the 57th minute Dichio headed inches over from a pinpoint free-kick by Neil Clement.

No shots to save

Moments later the determined Roberts held off Carlos Andre before sending in a shot that flew just wide of the far post.

Walsall, with just six points from a possible 45 on their travels, did little to trouble Russell Hoult in the Albion goal.

We became another Albion statistic - it's another 1-0 victory for them

Walsall boss Ray Graydon

The keeper did not have a single shot to save throughout, Zigor Aranalde firing over the visitors' best chance in the 68th minute.

Walsall seemed happy to sit back in the early stages and they were nearly made to pay for their slow start after 14 minutes when Roberts carved open the Saddlers defence.

The striker had already seen a stinging 25-yard drive saved by Walker when he thundered in another shot from the edge of the box.

Walker could only parry the effort but midfielder Jordao, following up, scuffed the rebound wide of the target.

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West Brom: Hoult, Sigurdsson, Gilchrist, Moore, Balis, Jordao, McInnes, Johnson, Clement, Dichio, Roberts. Subs: Jensen, Fox, Taylor, Dobie, Adam Chambers.

Walsall: Walker, Carbon, Holdsworth, Roper, Gadsby, Biancalani, Bennett, Andre, Aranalde, Wrack, Angell. Subs: Harper, Brightwell, Keates, Leitao, Herivelto.

Referee: M Brandwood (Lichfield).