Walsall 0-3 Sheff Wed

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Sheffield Wednesday gave their First Division survival hopes a tremendous boost with this comfortable win over fellow strugglers Walsall at the Bescot Stadium.

The Owls were the better side from start to finish, thoroughly deserved the points, and leap-frogged the Saddlers to climb out of the relegation zone.

To add to Walsall's misery they had central defender David Holdsworth sent off for his second bookable offence in the second half.

It was also a nightmare start for Walsall's new signings - Martin O'Connor and striker Marcelo.

They were booked for fouls in the first three minutes by referee Rob Styles, although O'Connor could have no complaint about his caution for a late tackle.

O'Connor and Marcelo were signed from the Blues this week, but neither made a great deal of impact and the Wednesday defence was rock-steady with keeper Paul Heald, on loan from Wimbledon, making several important saves.

A vital one came in the 29th minute when he pushed away a drive from Tom Bennett.

But as Wednesday switched onto the attack, they were unlucky in the 28th minute when Efan Ekoku chipped the home keeper only to see Darren Wrack clear off the line.

Walsall woe

Walsall's only excuse for a poor showing was the fourth-minute injury to defender Ian Brightwell which caused them to reshuffle.

But the Owls were superior in most departments.

It was no surprise when the visitors took a 32nd-minute lead, Ekoku heading in from close range when Steve Haslam's corner was flicked on.

Heald made another fine save from Bennett to deny Walsall just before half-time and, as the home side pushed forward in the second half, O'Connor had a fierce drive blocked.

Walsall picked up six yellow cards and Holdsworth was sent off in the 72nd minute for his second offence, a foul on Ekoku.

With him went Walsall's last hope and with 11 minutes left Shefki Kuqi headed in an Alan Quinn corner.

Then for good measure substitute Gerald Sibon added a third for the visitors with a clever free kick in the last minute.

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Walsall: Walker, Brightwell, Carbon, Holdsworth, Aranalde, Wrack, Bennett, O'Connor, Matias, Leitao, Marcelo. Subs: Harper, Keates, Byfield, Roper, Herivelto.

Sheff Wed: Heald, Haslam, Crane, Maddix, Geary, Hamshaw, Soltvedt, Quinn, Johnson, Kuqi, Ekoku. Subs: Bonvin, Donnelly, Sibon, Gibson, Roberts.

Referee: R Styles (Waterlooville).