Just beyond the half hour mark, excellent quick passing between Kane Lewis and Rico Henry opened up the Chasetown defence and Brendan Pooni was in the right place to side foot home from close range.

Amadou Bakayoko was a whisker away from a second when his lopping header over an advancing John Bateman was cleared off the line by Chasetown skipper Chris Slater.

The home side were lively and Nathan Waite and Lee Butler had chances in quick succession which were kept out by an impressive Craig MacGillivray.

The Scholars had a golden opportunity to equalise when Nick Wellecomme was tripped inside the penalty area but Lee Butler’s spot-kick was superbly saved by MacGillivray.

Walsall had further chances to increase their advantage when Bateman made a quick reaction double-save to deny Jake Heath and goalscorer Pooni.

Chasetown. John Bateman, Todd Evans, Dexter Ravenhill (Grant Beckett, 64 mins), Chris Slater, Tesfa Robinson (Jermaine Johnson, HT), Lee Downes, Lee Butler (Ramone Stephens, 75 mins), Lee Parsons, Nick Wellecomme (Jordan Nadat, 75 mins), Nathan Waite (Jazz Luckie, 75 mins), Simon Brown (Richard Davies, 64)

Subs. Curtis Pond, Carlo Franco, Mitch McDonald (not used)

Walsall: MacGillivray, Ottley, Henry, Kinsella, Probert, R Smith, Oliver, Heath, Bakayoko, Pooni, Lewis

Subs. Rowley, Roberts, Shakespeare, Delaney, Sangha, J Smith, Reid, Kouuyar