Walsall 1-0 Stockport

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Relegation-threatened Walsall moved out of the Nationwide Division One drop-zone as striker Jorge Leitao came off the bench to net the winner against Stockport.

Having returned to the squad after recovering from a stomach strain, Leitao made his comeback in scintillating style as he replaced the injured Don Goodman to drill home at the start of the second half.

Home boss Colin Lee went into the game without striker Marcelo who failed to shake off an ankle injury to be included in the squad while Stockport named Kevin Ellison as a substitute after he enjoyed his first action in almost two months in the 2-1 win against Watford on Easter Monday.

In a cagey first period the visitors seemed happy to sit back and play on the break and with the livewire Fitzroy Simpson orchestrating from midfield, it was Walsall who shaded the opening exchanges.

After eight minutes the home side almost made the dream start when the ball broke kindly for defender Steve Corica six yards out, but with the goal at his mercy, he flashed his shot wide.

And 60 seconds later Gus Uhlenbeek tried his luck with a stinging right-footed drive that forced goalkeeper Andy Dibble to save.

The Hatters went into the game with only one away league win all season and, with the home side enjoying the majority of the ball, Carlton Palmer's men looked unlikely to improve that record.

After 28 minutes Simpson caused them problems again as Corica's corner fell kindly for him in the box, but the former Manchester City man was unlucky to see his goalbound shot blocked by Ian Roper.

Stockport looked short on inspiration going forward, with even veteran player-boss Palmer struggling to maintain possession of the ball and it wasn't until the 38th minute that they carved out their first chance on goal.

When David Challinor's throw-in set the visitors away, the ball was crossed dangerously into the heart of the Walsall box, but from close range striker Luke Beckett could only head half-heartedly at goal.

Just before the interval, Walsall were dealt a blow when an injury to Goodman forced him off, but after being sent on as a substitute Leitao made an almost instant impact.

Five minutes after the restart Corica once again burst clear down the left and when he squared across the area, the Portuguese forward drilled home low into the net.

Stung into life by that setback, Stockport finally upped the pace and 13 minutes later they were nearly back on level terms when Beckett thundered in a long-range pile-driver that goalkeeper James Walker did well to hold.

But it was the Saddlers who continued to look the more likely to score and after 68 minutes Leitao's powerful header forced Dibble to produce an acrobatic diving save.

With time running out, Stockport sent on Ellison and David Holt in a bid to inject some life into their tiring side, but despite a late surge forward that saw a dangerous Challinor cross hacked clear it was too little too late for the visitors.

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Walsall: Walker, Uhlenbeek, Roper, Carbon, Aranalde, Wrack, O'Connor, Corica, Matias, Goodman, Simpson. Subs: Harper, Bennett, Herivelto, Leitao, Holdsworth.

Stockport: Dibble, Hardiker, Clare, Challinor, Clark, Gibb, McLachlan, Palmer, Briggs, Welsh, Beckett. Subs: Spencer, Woodthorpe, Ellison, Holt, Thomas.

Referee: E Wolstenholme (Blackburn)