Following Walsall's midweek Sky Bet League One tie with Oldham Athletic, Bescot Banter columnist Scott Brotherton shares his Match Report;Febian Brandy made all the headlines before kick-off with his return to the Banks's on loan from Sheffield United, and he was thrust straight into the fray in place of Ashley Hemmings as Smith made just one change from the 1-1 draw at Tranmere.
Following some early possession for both sides an Oldham corner was nearly bundled home by Charlie MacDonald, and had to be scrambled clear mere yards from goal.
James Dayton's shot was then deflected just wide for a Latics corner and the visitors' best chance so far came when MacDonald was allowed through on goal, but Richard O'Donnell narrowed an already tricky angle and got down well to block the shot.
In contrast there weren't any chances for the Saddlers though they did look threatening, especially down the flanks with Brandy and Milan Lalkovic.
Lee Johnson's men were still creating opportunities though and when MacDonald glanced the ball onto the head of an unsuspecting Andy Butler, the ball could have gone anywhere. Luckily for the home side it fell well wide of the goal.
Walsall had their first shot on the half hour. Space opened up for Craig Westcarr on the edge of the area but he blazed high and wide from 25 yards out.
It was nearly an Andy Taylor special that came even closer to breaking the deadlock. The left-back's curling free kick crashed off the inside of the post and was hastily cleared from danger by the Latics.
The Saddlers full-back then got to the byline and sent in a cross which ricocheted dangerously across the six-yard box and out for a corner.
Sam Mantom's distance drive deflected over the crossbar and Taylor's ambitious blast cannoned off a defender for yet another Walsall corner.
Despite these chances it was level at the break and Deano had some work to do if he wanted to get all three points; Oldham had probably shaded the first 45 minutes.
H/T: Walsall 0 Oldham Athletic 0
Walsall enjoyed a promising start to the second period and two brilliantly rehearsed corners created a couple of excellent opportunities for centre-half Paul Downing.
The first ended in a free header which was beaten away by Latics keeper Mark Oxley at full stretch. The second resulted in a side-footed effort by Downing which was heroically blocked by the Oldham defence just in front of the goal-line.
Dayton's free kick was then well parried away by O'Donnell and the rebound was flashed across the face of goal.
The Saddlers took the lead with the only goal of the game on 65 minutes. A move which started with Romaine Sawyers and Brandy on the right wing was eventually squeezed in towards Mantom by Lalkovic, and the midfielder slotted the ball calmly into the bottom left corner.
The goalkeeper's fingertips nearly prevented the goal but Oxley, on loan from Hull City, just couldn't get enough on the shot.
Sawyers had a decent chance five minutes later as he turned and fired at goal, but saw his effort palmed away by the resilient Oldham stopper.
Brandy's debut then came to an end when he was replaced by Hemmings with 17 minutes left. He got a good reception but a few fans are still yet to be won over again by Febian, and jeered as he left the pitch.
An ominous looking free kick for the visitors was then wasted by Danny Phillskirk and the Saddlers could breathe again.
Oldham had another opportunity from a dead ball situation though, and this time O'Donnell had to be alert to produce a smart diving save.
Dayton's effort was deflected just over the bar before substitute Adam Rooney missed a sitter. All of the players clustered towards the near post which left Rooney unmarked at the back stick but he somehow fluffed his lines and scuffed wide.
Walsall dropped painfully deep in the closing stages and only got momentary respite when Taylor strode forward to hit straight at the goalkeeper.
Oldham really penned the Saddlers back and finally forced the opening that they had probably deserved when James Wesolowski won a penalty in the 93rd minute.
Paul Downing tried to cut out the through ball on its way to Wesolowski but instead swiped the Australian midfielder's legs from underneath him.
O'Donnell refused to be beaten though and made an outstanding diving save to his right to stop what wasn't actually a bad spot-kick from Rooney.
Dean Smith's men still had their backs to the wall for the remainder of the five minutes added time, however they managed to battle through to secure a gritty if unconvincing win that sends them into the play-off places.
Walsall 1 (Mantom 65') Oldham Athletic 0
Attendance: 3,522 (182 Away)
Referee: Fred Graham, Essex.
By: Scott Brotherton