Much-improved Town notched their first win of the season as Walsall were beaten 2-1 at Portman Road. A penalty from Alun Armstrong put the Blues ahead before Gary Birch equalised. Darren Bent's second half header won the day with impressive Walsall keeper Jimmy Walker preventing further goals.

Town started with one two changes from Saturday, Georges Santos replacing Richard Naylor in central defence and Darren Bent playing alongside Alun Armstrong in attack.

Paul Merson predictably hit an early 25-yard shot, but fortunately for Town he sent the ball wide of Kelvin Davis'goal.

On 6 Vinny Samways came closer with a shot from 30 yards after a cleared corner, his strike taking a wicked deflection straight into Kelvin Davis' hands.

The Blues went ahead five minutes later. Darren Bent chased a long pass through the middle and Walsall keeper Jimmy Walker rushed off his line. Both players missed the ball but Walker clattered into Bent sending him flying. Referee Lee Cable had no doubt and awarded a penalty.

With regular taker Tommy Miller on the sidelines at present, Alun Armstrong took the responsibility, putting the ball low to the keeper's left, Walker diving the wrong way.

Armstrong came close to a second goal in the 24th minute, his shot across Walker just going by the post from a tight angle well out on the left.

Paul Merson showed his class in the 27th minute, his cross from the right straight to Steve Corica who should have done better with his header, the ball arcing into Davis' arms.

On 28 Darren Bazeley broke away on the right touchline, Alan Mahon flying into the tackle but not making contact. The Walsall man went to ground some while after the tackle, however the referee awarded a freekick. Mahon was shown a yellow card, much to the derision of the North Stand close by.

Vinny Samways whipped in the freekick and Gary Birch rose unmarked, close-in to head past the helpless Davis. It was Town's fourth goal conceded from a set-piece in two games.

The Blues seemed nervous after conceding the goal and on 33 Simon Osbourn crossed from the right, the ball just failing to fall for Birch inside the area.

Soon after Chris Bart-Williams became the second Town player to enter the referee's book after complaining when a corner had been given to Walsall when the correct decision should certainly have been a goalkick.

Two minutes later Darren Wrack was in the book when he stuck an arm out to prevent Fabian Wilnis going past him on the halfway line.

With nine minutes remaining of the half Alan Mahon crossed from the right for Alun Armstrong, the resurgent striker heading over the bar.

Three minutes later Georges Santos received a caution when he appeared to have won the ball cleanly from Paul Merson in the centre circle.

Town were playing some neat and tidy football and in the 42nd minute Alun Armstrong was put away on the left, crossing low for Jim Magilton but just behind him, the midfielder scooping the ball wide.

Darren Bent came close to opening his account with a fine header from a Fabian Wilnis cross in the 43rd minute, keeper Jimmy Walker doing well to tip the ball round the post.

The Blues were very much in control and a mazy 30-yard Alan Mahon run ended with the Blackburn loanee hitting a shot which was deflected wide.

Before the break there was just time for Jermaine Wright to volley a cleared corner just over the bar from the edge of the area.

No changes at half-time and perhaps more significantly no boos from the crowd. Town had been at their best so far this season, particularly in the latter stages of the period.

Soon after the break Chris Bart-Williams took a dip from 30 yards, the ball flying wide of Walker's post.

On 51 Darren Bent again came near to scoring, his header from Matt Richards' cross just prevented going in by Walker's fingertips.

Three minutes later Paul Merson, largely quiet, reminded the Town defence he was around with a 25-yarder which struck the outside of the stanchion.

Bent, getting ever closer to a goal, just failed to control a Wilnis cross when had he done so he would only have had to beat Walker from six yards out. Instead the ball ran safely to the keeper.

Town were well in control of the game and just before the hour, a Bent ball flew across the box and was put out for a corner. From the kick Diallo's header was cleared off the line. The ball was cleared and then played back into the box, Armstrong's shot on the turn straight at Walker.

The Blues' domination continued and neat work on the right from Wright and Wilnis allowed the Dutchman to cross into the box, Darren Bent heading powerfully past Walker to put Town back in front. The relief at scoring his first of the season was very evident as the striker leapt and punched the air in front of the North Stand.

Bent was involved on 73 when his cross was cleared to Jermaine Wright on the edge of the area. The midfielder played the ball to the well-placed Mahon but once again Walker managed to get himself in the way of the shot.

Kelvin Davis had to be at his best two minutes later, Merson's diagonal ball nodded back across the box by Bazeley, the keeper brilliantly tipping Wrack's goal-bound header goalwards round the post.

With 13 minutes remaining Joe Royle switched Ian Westlake for Alan Mahon and Pablo Couñago for Alun Armstrong. Both had had fine games, but neither has played many first team games in recent months and were tiring.

Westlake was quickly involved and an interchange with Magilton allowed Couñago to get in a shot which Walker turned wide.

Couñago again had an opportunity of increasing Town's lead on 87. With Walsall committed forward, the Spaniard ran through the middle from the halfway line only to see his flick over Walker grabbed by the keeper's hand when it appeared to have beaten him.

In injury time, with Magilton replaced by Richard Naylor, Couñago made a strong run into the area but again Walker blocked. Westlake's rebound was deflected away. The youngster wasn't too far away not long after, his volley claimed by Walker.

At the end it was cheers instead of boos for once and Town thoroughly deserved their victory. But for Jimmy Walker's display between the sticks for Walsall it could have been more, Pablo Couñago particularly unlucky not to have come away with a goal.

Walsall, the goal aside, were rarely allowed to get a shot in and Santos and Diallo rarely put a foot wrong, although as at West Brom there was the occasional moment of miscommunication with keeper Davis. However, his second half save from Wrack was up to anything Walker produced at the other end.

The midfield was at its best so far the season with the two loan players playing their part. Magilton orchestrated much of Town's attacking endeavour although he could have looked to shoot rather than pass on a couple of occasions. Once again there was little evidence that the Blues are adopting a long-ball tactic as decried by some.

A first win of the season and off the bottom of the table with the new incumbents at 24th position visiting on Saturday. A similar performance against Wimbledon and another win will take Town out of the bottom three.

Town: Davis, Wilnis, Richards, Diallo, Santos, Magilton (Naylor 90), Bart-Williams, Mahon (Westlake 77), Wright, Bent, Armstrong (Couñago 77).

Photo: Action Images

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