Walsall 1, Peterborough 3: Gregg Evans's big match verdict
CHRIS Hutchings remains under intense pressure after his rock-bottom side were defeated by high-flying Peterborough.
Make no mistake – the result was harsh, and Walsall were by far the better side throughout, but it was yet another loss for the Saddlers boss to face up to.
Cries of ‘Hutchings Out’ echoed around the Banks’s Stadium throughout the second half, as the fans vocally vented their anger.
But if it wasn’t for heroic defending, and an outstanding performance from Boro keeper Joe Lewis, the fans would probably have been celebrating an epic win.
As it stands, it’s now just one win in 13 for Walsall who remain rooted to the foot of League One after the defeat.
The Saddlers gave Liam Dickinson his debut just hours after he signed on a one-month loan deal from Championship side Barnsley and Walsall looked like a side full of confidence in the opening exchanges with Julian Gray firing over in the opening minute.
Darryl Westlake was the first player to test Lewis when he rifled a shot from the edge of the area towards the top corner in the 12th minute. The 23-year-old stopper pulled off the first of many saves though, tipping his effort over the bar.
Ryan McGivern was then allowed to dance through the defence but again Lewis saved his side by tipping the right-back’s effort around the post.
Walsall were then dealt a sucker punch when out of nowhere the visitors took the lead on 14 minutes.
Aaron Davis’ teasing free-kick was headed in at the back post by Ryan Bennett.
A minute later. Jimmy Walker’s return to the Banks’s Stadium was turning into a nightmare as Boro doubled their lead. Craig Mackail-Smith fed Davis who turned in the box and sent Walker the wrong way.
