Morecambe boss Jim Bentley pleased as Walsall exit JPT

Two stunning second-half goals, the first from Jamie Devitt and the second from Tom Barkhuizen, earned the Shrimps victory over last year's beaten finalists and a side unbeaten in League One this season.

Bentley said: "That was a fantastic win against a great side. When you consider that we were down to the bare bones and lost a player for the second game running in the warm up when Andy Parrish had to be withdrawn then I can do nothing but praise the lads again.

"Walsall played some really good football but we worked really hard to keep a clean sheet and our goals were special. Jamie Devitt's first was a top quality chip and Tom Barkhuizen's strike was a brilliant finish after a great counter attack.

"But away from the goals we were fantastic all over the field. Barry Roche made some great saves when he was called upon and I'm really proud of the lads because their spirit has been unbelievable."

Walsall manager Dean Smith said he could not be too harsh on his players who came into the game on the back of six successive wins.

He said: "I can't fault the performance because I thought we played some great stuff.

"We made a couple of changes but the lads who came in were excellent and it was pleasing for me because it shows that we have a lot of talent at this club and we are definitely going in the right direction.

"The result was a blip without a doubt because we wanted to win the game. We created a lot of chances and got in on goal on a few occasions to but give Morecambe credit they played some good stuff too and scored two very good goals."

An even game game into life in the second half with the home side scoring two memorable goals.

The first came for Devitt on 57 minutes. The Shrimps midfielder took the ball on the left hand side of the box and clipped a superb effort that curled over Craig MacGillivray and found the back of the net via the underside of the crossbar.

Walsall stepped up the pace in retaliation and were denied on three occasions by excellent saves from Roche who denied Tom Bradshaw and Anthony Forde with flying blocks.

As the Saddlers pushed forward they left gaps at the back and Morecambe took full advantage with Barkhuizen adding a second. The flying winger was played in down the right and let fly with a superb low shot from 18 yards out that flew past MacGillivray and into the bottom right hand corner of the Walsall goal.

Barkhuizen went close to a third when he smashed a shot against the crossbar while at the other end Forde was equally unlucky with a 300yard free-kick that hit the woodwork.

Walsall had the best chance of the first half when Adam Chambers broke into the area but skewed his final shot wide when he looked sure to score.