Stockport beaten again as Walsall clinch hard-fought win

Walsall held off late Stockport pressure to leave last season’s beaten play-off finalists without a point after two games with a 2-1 win.

Goals in each half from Danny Johnson and Aramide Oteh earned the Saddlers a first victory of the season, despite Ryan Rydel’s stoppage-time header.

County dominated throughout, with Louie Barry’s cool early finish disallowed for offside and Owen Evans saving from Paddy Madden and Ibou Touray.

Referee Jacob Miles waved County penalty shouts away when Nick Powell went down under Evans’ challenge when clean through.

But Walsall went ahead against the run of play after 24 minutes as debutant Freddie Draper robbed Ethan Pye and crossed for Johnson to slot home from 12 yards.

County almost equalised either side of the break as Barry whistled a 20-yard effort inches over and Will Collar side-footed Madden’s reverse pass wide.

Donervon Daniels’ goal-saving block denied Collar and Powell curled inches wide, but Walsall added a second after 79 minutes as Oteh fired home low from Oisin McEntee’s pull-back.

Ryan Rydel’s bullet header from Madden’s cross seven minutes into 12 added on gave Stockport late hope, but Walsall survived.