THE SADDLERS have slipped to a disappointing 3-0 home defeat at the hands of Bristol City.

With three minutes on the clock, Daniel Fox found James Constable, back in the starting line-up, who hit a shot on the turn that almost caught out Adriano Basso in the visitors' goal, but he managed to fingertip the ball wide.

Steve Claridge, who was making his home debut two days short of his 40th Birthday, used his vast experience to win a free-kick on 12 minutes as Dean Keates saw his effort dip just over.

Shortly afterwards Keates played an inviting ball into the danger zone where Pablo Mills found space to win a header but his attempt lacked the power to trouble Basso.

A quickly-taken free-kick by the visitors on the City left saw Dave Cotterill fire in a shot that Andy Oakes was equal to as he pushed the ball out.

On 22 minutes, Cotterill drilled in a low shot that flashed just wide following a ball in from the right. The lively Cotterill almost turned provider in the next attack when he played an inviting low ball into the path of Mark McCammon but Fox did enough to deny the big front-man.

With City increasing the pressure as the half went on, a long ball forward caused The Saddlers' back-line problems but Cotterill blazed over.

There was some uncertainty in the City defence just past the half-hour mark as Louis Carey's mis-placed clearance saw Basso elect to kick clear but as he sliced the ball high into the air, Michael Leary made his presence felt but ended up heading into the side-netting as the 'keeper floundered.

The visitors took the lead three minutes before the interval when Cotterill cut inside Mark Wright before tucking the ball beyond Oakes.

The half ended with City on the attack looking for a second but Ian Roper was on hand to block Luke Wilkshire's shot.

With Ishmel Demontagnac on in place of Mills during the half-time break, City doubled their advantage five minutes into the second period as Roper brought Cotterill crashing down inside the area. Alex Russell stepped up to coolly slot the resultant penalty home to give Walsall a real mountain to climb.

After Roper was booked for a foul in the penalty area, McCammon found space in a good position in front of goal but he fired over.

Constable was replaced by Simon Osborn on the hour-mark just before the visitors had another good chance as this time Luke Wilkshire cut through but once more the final shot was wayward.

The Saddlers were failing to make much impact up front in the second half with a Keates effort that flew over the first effort of any real note and that didn't arrive until the 69th minute.

Four minutes later, Leary saw a header from a corner cleared off the line by Craig Woodman before Demontagnac was booked shortly afterwards for a foul.

With time running out, Oakes made a fine save low to his right to deny Russell who managed to get in a swooping header. The 'keeper then made another smart stop in the next attack as he instinctively pushed Cotterill's diving header over.

There were appeals for a penalty as Keates went down after Leary and Devlin linked up on the edge of the area, but with a minute to go, City added a third when a free-kick was not dealt with and Richard Keogh found the net through a crowd of players to end another miserable day for Walsall.

THE SADDLERS have slipped to a disappointing defeat at the hands of fellow strugglers, Blackpool.

With the usual swirling wind, it was the home side who made the more positive start without really threatening Andy Oakes, who was back from injury in The Saddlers' goal, in the opening exchanges.

With 13 minutes on the clock, Daniel Fox was beaten out wide by Keigan Parker but his eventual cross was over-hit and evaded everyone to fall harmlessly out of play.

Chances were few and far between at the other end, but on 21 minutes a deep corner found its way to the far post where Paul Devlin took his eye off the ball as he lined up a volley and the opportunity was lost.

A foul by Marcus Bean on Pablo Mills as he lined up a shot gave Walsall a free-kick in a dangerous position, but Dean Keates dragged his effort wide of the mark.

There was a real let-off just before the half-hour mark when Rory Prendergast did well to beat Chris Westwood before crossing invitingly over the stranded Oakes for Gareth Williams who had the goal at his mercy, but somehow he managed to head the ball into the arms of the grateful 'keeper.

Another nervy moment soon followed when John Murphy strode through the middle but as he closed in on goal, Ian Roper put in a timely challenge to deny him. There were loud appeals from the home side for a penalty, but Roper's outstretched leg clearly got to the ball first.

The game was in real need of a lift as the half drew to a close. The last action saw home substitute, Ian Morris cut inside before firing straight at Oakes after Blackpool broke out of defence.

The second period got underway with a clumsy challenge right on the edge of the area by Roper who was lucky only to see yellow. The resulting free-kick saw Parker put the ball over.

The home side eventually took the lead on 49 minutes when Williams skipped through the Walsall defence before firing past Oakes.

Mark Wright was then replaced by Mads Timm but Blackpool managed to double their advantage when the ball fell out to Keith Southern who hit a speculative low effort from distance that found its way beyond Oakes and into the net.

Manager, Kevan Broadhurst tried to change things around by introducing Scott Fitzgerald in place of Simon Osborn, whilst shortly afterwards Gerrard was booked for kicking the ball away.

The Saddlers were failing to make any sort of impact in attack with debut 'boy', Steve Claridge and Paul Devlin both having a frustrating afternoon.

There was another chance for the lively Parker after he was set up by Williams but he shot wide as Walsall were second best to everything with many of the 1,143 travelling supporters leaving early in search of Blackpool's various other attractions.

On 78 minutes Fitzgerald broke away down the right-hand side and with Claridge in a good position in the middle, he over-hit his cross to Keates who fired well wide.

With time running out, Claridge was replaced by former Blackpool loanee, Andrew Barrowman before Roper headed a Keates free-kick over the crossbar.

The last action saw Parker break the offside trap before curling a shot goalwards only for Oakes to push the ball out. Oakes then managed to keep out an effort by Marc Joseph after failing to hold the ball initially but then gathering right on the line.

It ended another disappointing away day for The Saddlers.

Walsall slipped closer to relegation when they squandered a two goal lead to draw 2-2 with Bradford at Bescot Stadium.

It was the third home game in succession the Saddlers had failed to win, and Bradford plunged them into deeper trouble with goals just before and just after half time.

Walsall took the lead in the 17th minute, Kevin James heading in his third goal for the club when a 30 yard drive from Michael Leary rebounded from a post.

The Saddlers looked to be heading for a priceless win when, in the 37th minute, defender Chris Westwood powerfully headed in a Dean Keatch corner.

But in stoppage time at the end of the first half, defender Mark Bower gave Bradford hope by heading in a cross from substitute Ben Muirhead.

And the recovery was complete four minutes into the second half after Walsall's

teenage keeper Rene Gilmartin saw his punched clearance rebound to City skipper David Wetherall whose overhead kick clinched a point for the visitors

A dissapointing night for the Saddlers who could of eased their relegation worries with a win, but so could Yeovil. A diabolicle performance from the guys in red saw Yeovil win 2-0 but it could of been about 7-0. harold and Davies the scorers for yeovil. It got worse for walsall when in the 89th minute, left midfielder, Ishmel Demontagnac was sent off when he fouled Harrold as he picked up his second yellow card of the game. After this result, Yeovil ease their relegation worries, as Walsall fall back into the relegation zone.