Walsall end losing run with comfortable win at Tranmere

Walsall kept their automatic promotion hopes alive with a comfortable 3-1 victory over Tranmere.

Goals from Priestley Farquharson, Daniel Kanu and Jamille Matt ended a run of four consecutive defeats in all competitions for the Saddlers, while Rovers, who grabbed a late consolation through Joe Ironside, slipped to a third straight home loss.

The visitors almost made the perfect start inside two minutes, Matt’s header from Farquharson’s long throw directed straight at Jack Barrett in the Tranmere goal.

At the other end, the home side’s best opportunity of the first half fell to Ethan Bristow, who fired wide from a tight angle after being put through by Connor Jennings.

Walsall took a deserved lead in the 37th minute when Farquharson rose highest to head home Evan Weir’s corner from close range.

The advantage was doubled just before half-time as Kanu capitalised on a defensive lapse, rounded Barrett and calmly steered the ball into an empty net.

The points were secured in the 66th minute when Matt nodded home Aden Flint’s pinpoint cross before substitute Ironside grabbed a consolation for the hosts in the 90th minute.