Earlier this evening Walsall Football Club travelled North to Deepdale, to take on Preston North End in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season.
As the game got underway the home side, via Joe Garner, had a header saved by an alert Richard O'Donnell.
Anthony Forde sent a shot wide for the Saddlers as both sides looked for an early impact.
North End also had a free kick early on, Gallagher took it, but was thwarted by James Chambers.
The resulting corner was met by O'Donnell's fist, Welsh gathered and fed Huntington who could only head behind the goal.
O'Donnell was back in action soon after, saving well from a Gallagher volley. The resulting corner was headed out as Walsall maintained their clean sheet.
Another PNE corner was awarded and subsequently saved by the Saddlers, the travelling side under much pressure early on.
A Forde cross was diverted for a corner, which he took, the ball in skimmed the head of James Chambers as the corner came to nothing.
Gallagher then robbed Grimes and slides the ball into Garner, but he can't get the ball out from under his feet as his shot is tame and gathered.
Adam Chambers gave away a free kick, which was dealt with by the Saddlers as Wright heads out under pressure.
The home side took the lead after eighteen minutes, Daniel Johnson slotting home from a Humphrey pass, the North End defender seemed to foul Rico Henry, who was soon replaced by Andy Taylor, during the build up to the goal, referee Darren Drysdale waving away the protests.
O'Donnell then saved from a Gallagher free kick, the ball taking a deflection off Huntington's outstretched toe.
Cain dragged a shot wide as Garner was offside on the counter, both sides also looked to establish their passing game.
Leicester's Cain sent another shot wide as Humphrey tested O'Donnell's reflexes, a good run by Laird creating the initial opening.
Walsall had a small spell of possession as we headed towards half time, Grimes was crowded out in the box, and Huntington headed a Saddlers shot into the 'keepers hands.
HT PRESTON NORTH END 1 WALSALL 0
Early into the second half, Gallagher rattled the bar, giving Richard O'Donnell little chance of saving, Garner then headed the rebound over the bar.
The home side then had a corner following some good work from Taylor, Clarke then headed the corner onto the far post, he and James Chambers clashed heads during the passage of play, Chambers was OK to continue however Clarke was replaced by Wiseman after some treatment.
PNE then had a couple of corners, both of which were cleared by the Saddlers.
Walsall's Sawyers replaced Grimes as Dean Smith looked to shuffle the pack.
Humphrey then went on a roaming run down the wing, taking two Saddlers defenders with him, the corner, which was given away by Jordan Cook, was headed over the bar by Bailey Wright.
Romaine Sawyers looked to add a spark to the Saddlers' attack, although they were still guilty of the odd misplaced pass in the middle of the park.
Humphrey then went on a great run down the wing, beating two defenders, the ball was eventually scrambled out for a corner by Jordan Cook. The corner, which Gallagher took, was headed over the bar by Wright.
Forde sent a shot in from distance, former Saddlers' loanee Johnstone saving and gathering with ease.
Later, PNE had a corner which Robinson met, his strike was held well by O'Donnell.
Anthony Forde sent a cross into the box, sadly Jordy Hiwula couldn't quite connect with it as PNE cleared, another good opening for the travelling side.
Soon after, and half-way through the second half, winger James Baxendale replaced Anthony Forde, as Smith looked for fresh legs.
Michael Cain shot wide as Kilkenny replaced Robinson with the home side looking to secure the three points.
Humphrey again ran well down the wing, his cross was met by Gallagher, who could only head across goal.
At the other end Jordan Cook had a shot blocked and Michael Cain again shot wide of goal.
Hiwula was also caught offside as Walsall continued their second half resurgence.
Late into the game North End had a corner, they once again failed to make use of the flag kick, as Garner looked for a penalty for the faintest of touches.
The referee then gave six minutes of added time following the earlier head clash.
As we entered the extra period of play North End made their final change as veteran striker Kevin Davies replaced Garner.
The Saddlers won a corner during stoppage time but were unable to make use of it, as Preston North End secured all three points.
RESULT PRESTON NORTH END 1 WALSALL 0
GOAL Johnson 18'
ATTENDANCE 7,779
AT Deepdale (Preston)
REFEREE Mr. Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire)
PRESTON NORTH END Johnstone, Clarke (Wiseman 56'), Huntington, Wright, Humphrey, Welsh, Johnson, Robinson (Kilkenny 79'), Laird, Gallagher, Garner (K.Davies 90+2')
SUBS NOT USED Stuckmann, Buchanan, Reid, Ebanks-Blake
WALSALL O'Donnell; Purkiss, J.Chambers, O'Connor, Henry (Taylor 24'); A.Chambers, Cain; Cook, Grimes (Sawyers 60'), Forde (Baxendale 76'); Hiwula
SUBS NOT USED MacGillivray; Preston; Flanagan; Murphy