Lalkovic seals win for Saddlers
Milan Lalkovic bagged the only goal as Walsall ran out 1-0 winners at midlands rivals Shrewsbury.
Lalkovic, a Slovakia Under-21 international on loan from Chelsea, struck nine minutes into the second half when he ran on to a neat throughball from Romaine Sawyers and coolly rounded goalkeeper Chris Weale before slotting home.
Shrewsbury started brightly and Gozie Ugwu, set up by Tom Eaves, might have fired the hosts into a third-minute lead but his close-range effort was well saved by Richard O'Donnell.
But Walsall were then the more dangerous side at a windswept Greenhous Meadow and Sawyers, having exchanged passes with Craig Westcarr, was denied by a flying save by Weale.
Andy Taylor bent a long-range free-kick just wide while defender Paul Downing headed two set-pieces over the crossbar.
Shrewsbury had their chances to equalise after Lalkovic's goal, his third for the Saddlers.
Eaves lifted an effort over the bar from three yards out before Walsall midfielder Sam Mantom hacked the ball off the line from a goalmouth scramble as the visitors stood firm to register a deserved victory - their second of the season over Town having also triumphed in the FA Cup.
Source: PA
Source: PA