THE Burton Albion team was full of youth who were helped by the experienced Darius Charles at the back as he added more minutes to his recovery and he also captained the side.
The Walsall 'keeper Liam Roberts was very nearly caught out by a freak effort from Marcus Harness. The Albion winger looked to loop the ball into the box which was caught up in the wind but Roberts did just enough to get his finger tips on to the ball and tip it over.
Harness was the danger man again in front of goal. He received the ball over the top from Charles but his shot towards goal was slightly scuffed and Roberts watched it wide of his left-hand post.
The Albion winger Marcus Harness turned provider this time as he made way down the left before cutting the ball back to Nathan Ferguson who put too much power behind his shot and watched it sail over the bar.
Striker Dylan Garnett did well to pinch the ball off the defender before advancing towads goal but his left-footed shot was dragged wide of the Walsall goal without troubling the 'keeper.
Sam Hornby came to the rescue on the stroke of half time as the Walsall No.9 raced through on goal but the Albion stopped produced a wonderful save to deny him.
HT: Burton Albion 0-0 Walsall
Mirza Sejdic made way for Jayden Coterill at the break for Burton.
Roberts didn't have anything to do for the early stages of the second half before Dylan Garnett unleashed a left-footed shot towards goal which was parried well.
Joe Sbarra was given the final 30 minutes of the game as he replaced Dylan Garnett.
The young midfielder made an instant impact as the received the ball in the box before turning well and laying off Shelton who sliced an effort towards goal which Roberts just watched wide.
Harness was presented with a great chance to put the Albion in the lead and break the deadlock as the was played through by Shelton but a heavy touch cost him as Roberts was quick off his line to deny him.
The Brewers kept the ball well in the second half but chances were limited. Charlie Gatter lined up a shot from 30 yards in which Roberts just watched well wide.
GOAL: Against the run of play it was the away side that took the lead. Some good work down the left provided Walsall's No.7 with the chance to slot past Hornby in the Albion goal in which he made mistake from 6 yards. 0-1
Roberts had a flash of De Je Vu as he was again nearly caught out by the wind, this time it was from Jayden Coterill down the right but the Walsall 'keeper tipped over well.
FT: Burton Albion 0-1 Walsall
Starting XI:
28. Sam HornbyÂ
02. Mark SheltonÂ
03. Charlie GatterÂ
04. Ben FoxÂ
15. Michael Pearson
06. Darius CharlesÂ
07. Jack HallahanÂ
08. Nathan FergusonÂ
09. Mirza SejdicÂ
10. Marcus HarnessÂ
11. Dylan GarnettÂ
Subs:
12. Joe SbarraÂ
13. Lewis WalkerÂ
14. Jayden CoterillÂ
17. Brad Smith