Matt Harrold and Arron Davies combined to fire Yeovil Town to a vital win against fellow strugglers Walsall at Bescot.
First-half goals from Harrold and Davies earned Yeovil only their second win in 11 games to breathe new life into their battle to avoid relegation. In contrast the defeat plunged Walsall back into the relegation zone as the honeymoon period for new manager Kevan Broadhurst came to an abrupt end.
Walsall had been unbeaten in the three games since Broadhurst was appointed following the dismissal of Paul Merson. But a dismal first-half display handed the game to Yeovil and leaves Walsall still looking for their first home league win of the year.
To cap a wretched evening for Walsall, winger Ishmel Demontagnac was sent off in the 88th minute for the second time this season after collecting two deserved yellow cards. Youthful over enthusiasm and lack of discipline his downfall tonight. Two yellow cards for two poor challanges, the second came after he had made the attacker turn. The youngster left the field with chants of 'your not fot to wear the shirt'. Perhaps a little harsh but after the night the fans endured a reaction like that is predictable.
Yeovil would have raced to an even more comprehensive win if it had not been for a 61st minute one-handed wonder save by goalkeeper Andy Oakes to deny Davies his second goal and a goalline clearance from Anthony Gerrard to keep out a shot from Terry Skiverton nine minutes from time.
Harrold opened the scoring with a smart piece of finishing in the 24th minute to capitalise on the good work of Andy Lindegaard. Lindegaard cut into the right-hand side of the Walsall area and delivered a pin-point cross that Harrold controlled before firing home his seventh goal of the season past the stranded Oakes. Blame rested on the shoulders of Ishmel Demontagnac who failed to keep with his man.
Yeovil's advantage should have been short lived as Kevin James wasted a golden chance to equalise just three minutes later when he somehow failed to score from just two yards following a cross from Demontagnac. He came diving in but failed to connect when all that he needed was to get a bootlace on the ball and it would cross the line
It was an expensive miss by James as Yeovil increased their lead after 33 minutes with a goal that was a disaster for the long-serving Walsall central defender Ian Roper. Attempting to head clear a hopeful Yeovil punt up field, Roper missed the ball completely. The grateful Davies raced on to the loose ball and drilled a low shot beyond the outstretched hand of Oakes. But the question is did Roper recieve a call from Andy Oakes? Or was it just the occasional shocker from Roper we have come to expect from time to time?
At half time Mads Timm came on for Mark Wright, presumably carrying a injury as Walsall went 3-5-2. Eight minutes later club captain Chris Westwood came on for Grant Smith who limped off.
Walsall's slim hopes of launching a comeback disappeared when James was guilty of his second dreadful miss - steering his close-range header from Paul Devlin's cross wide in the 64th minute.
Anthony Gerrard injured himself cleaning up a mistake from Andy Oakes but he managed to run it off and then put in a warrior like finish. Gerrard for Captain!
First-half goals from Harrold and Davies earned Yeovil only their second win in 11 games to breathe new life into their battle to avoid relegation. In contrast the defeat plunged Walsall back into the relegation zone as the honeymoon period for new manager Kevan Broadhurst came to an abrupt end.
Walsall had been unbeaten in the three games since Broadhurst was appointed following the dismissal of Paul Merson. But a dismal first-half display handed the game to Yeovil and leaves Walsall still looking for their first home league win of the year.
To cap a wretched evening for Walsall, winger Ishmel Demontagnac was sent off in the 88th minute for the second time this season after collecting two deserved yellow cards. Youthful over enthusiasm and lack of discipline his downfall tonight. Two yellow cards for two poor challanges, the second came after he had made the attacker turn. The youngster left the field with chants of 'your not fot to wear the shirt'. Perhaps a little harsh but after the night the fans endured a reaction like that is predictable.
Yeovil would have raced to an even more comprehensive win if it had not been for a 61st minute one-handed wonder save by goalkeeper Andy Oakes to deny Davies his second goal and a goalline clearance from Anthony Gerrard to keep out a shot from Terry Skiverton nine minutes from time.
Harrold opened the scoring with a smart piece of finishing in the 24th minute to capitalise on the good work of Andy Lindegaard. Lindegaard cut into the right-hand side of the Walsall area and delivered a pin-point cross that Harrold controlled before firing home his seventh goal of the season past the stranded Oakes. Blame rested on the shoulders of Ishmel Demontagnac who failed to keep with his man.
Yeovil's advantage should have been short lived as Kevin James wasted a golden chance to equalise just three minutes later when he somehow failed to score from just two yards following a cross from Demontagnac. He came diving in but failed to connect when all that he needed was to get a bootlace on the ball and it would cross the line
It was an expensive miss by James as Yeovil increased their lead after 33 minutes with a goal that was a disaster for the long-serving Walsall central defender Ian Roper. Attempting to head clear a hopeful Yeovil punt up field, Roper missed the ball completely. The grateful Davies raced on to the loose ball and drilled a low shot beyond the outstretched hand of Oakes. But the question is did Roper recieve a call from Andy Oakes? Or was it just the occasional shocker from Roper we have come to expect from time to time?
At half time Mads Timm came on for Mark Wright, presumably carrying a injury as Walsall went 3-5-2. Eight minutes later club captain Chris Westwood came on for Grant Smith who limped off.
Walsall's slim hopes of launching a comeback disappeared when James was guilty of his second dreadful miss - steering his close-range header from Paul Devlin's cross wide in the 64th minute.
Anthony Gerrard injured himself cleaning up a mistake from Andy Oakes but he managed to run it off and then put in a warrior like finish. Gerrard for Captain!