Early errors see Yeovil slide to another defeat
Another sloppy start and more below-par defending saw Yeovil Town crash to their second successive defeat as Walsall cantered to a 3-1 success.
Seven days after losing 1-0 at Gillingham, Terry Skiverton's men were left to rue starting second best again in Coca-Cola League One as the visitors scored in the fifth and 20th minutes to take a 2-0 lead.
First Darren Byfield and then Steve Jones made the most of uncertainty at the back from the Glovers to force an advantage the hosts never recovered from.
Jon Obika gave Yeovil hope with a first-half goal, before substitute Sam Parkin completed Walsall's scoring in the 89th minute.
Skiverton was forced into making two changes from the side that started at the Priestfield Stadium.
Jean-Paul Kalala served a one-match ban, following his dismissal at Gillingham, and was replaced in midfield by George O'Callaghan.
Defender Stefan Stam dropped to the substitutes' bench, with Terrell Forbes returning to the starting line-up.
Former Bristol City winger Scott Murray made his 500th professional appearance.
After five minutes, Jones gained possession on the right, crossing for the unmarked Byfield to stoop low and head past Alex McCarthy.
Fifteen minutes later, visiting keeper Clayton Ince had his first test of the evening, gathering Murray's stinging drive at the second attempt after the Scot linked well with Obika and Danny Hutchins.
However, Walsall responded by doubling their advantage. Hesitant defending allowed the Saddlers to spread the ball to Troy Deeney and his ball into the box was met by Jones, who glanced a header beyond McCarthy.
A minute before the half-hour mark the hosts gained a lifeline as Craig Alcock surged forward on to a cross-field pass. He slotted the ball through to Obika, who needed two attempts to side-foot past Ince. On the stroke of half-time, Murray came close again, latching on to a loose ball from a weak Alcock cross, but his shot was deflected wide.
Yeovil returned for the second period with a spring in their step, but a quality final ball was lacking, as Walsall appeared content to stand strong at the back, launching occasional counter-attacks. With 60 minutes played, Skiverton made his first change, bringing on striker Dean Bowditch in place of left-winger Andy Welsh.
The former Ipswich Town attacker almost had an instant impact, back-heeling a through-ball into the path of Ryan Mason.
The Tottenham loanee went to pull the trigger, only to go to ground under pressure from two Walsall markers.
After 68 minutes, Hutchins' last-ditch block denied Walsall the chance to challenge McCarthy. Matt Richards dropped his shoulder to slip past Alcock, crossing for Deeney. He took two touches before laying the ball back to Marc Bradley, who found Hutchins in the way of his drive.
Despite Yeovil's initial resurgence, Walsall grew in confidence as the half wore on.
Frustrating the 3,508-strong Huish Park crowd by taking their time with set-pieces, Walsall took an increasing grip on the game.
The Glovers continued to toil in attack, but, bereft of ideas, could not create an opening.
With one minute left on the clock, Walsall made sure of the three points when Parkin made the most of a stretched home defence to tap the ball over the line.
Yeovil Town (4-2-3-1): McCarthy; Alcock, Caulker, Forbes, Hutchins (Smith, 76); MacDonald, O'Callaghan; Murray, Mason, Welsh (Bowditch, 60); Obika (Williams, 69). Subs not used: Stam, Murtagh, Tomlin, Martin.
Walsall (4-4-2): Ince; Weston, Hughes, Smith, Sansara; Jones, Mattis, Bradley, Richards (O'Keefe, 72); Byfield (Parkin, 84), Deeney (Nicholls, 87). Subs not used: Gilmartin, Westlake, Till, McDonald.
Comment on this story