Rochdale 1 - 2 Walsall : Saddlers claim away spoils again

Posted Wednesday, August 19, 2015 by PA

Walsall picked up their second successive Sky Bet League One away win with a 2-1 success over Rochdale at Spotland.

Second-half goals from Andy Taylor and Sam Mantom handed the Saddlers the spoils in this clash of two top-six sides.

Walsall, who also beat Nottingham Forest on the road in the Capital One Cup seven days earlier, went close to an opening goal in the first minute when Mantom's cross was spilled by Josh Lillis, the Dale goalkeeper then recovering well to keep out shots from Kieron Morris and Tom Bradshaw.

Ian Henderson and Rhys Bennett teamed up in the 20th minute for Dale, the former's near-post cross deflected onto Bennett by goalkeeper Neil Etheridge and the ball running just wide of the post.

Dale had the ball in the net on the hour mark when Joe Bunney's shot was diverted home by Peter Vincenti, only for the effort to be ruled offside.

And the visitors took the lead in the 66th minute when Milan Lalkovic teed up Taylor to volley beyond Lillis.

The Saddlers doubled their advantage five minutes later as Mantom's deflected shot looped up into the roof of Lillis' net.

Keith Hill's side were handed a lifeline after 80 minutes when Calvin Andrew bundled the ball over the line after Henderson had struck the crossbar, but the visitors held out for the win.