Tom Bradshaw's fourth goal this week has given Walsall the lead against Southend United in their League One clash at Roots Hall.

The home side had the first opportunity of the game when Joe Pigott's shot from a tight angle was parried away by Neil Etheridge and David Mooney couldn't divert the rebound into the net from six yards.

However, it was Walsall who opened the scoring with their first attempt of the match as Bradshaw, the Saddlers' hat-trick hero against Nottingham Forest in the League Cup on Tuesday night, spun his marker to fire home from 10 yards.

Southend had a half-opportunity when Ryan Leonard was put through by Gary Deegan, but the midfielder's ball across the six-yard box evaded everyone.

Walsall could have doubled their lead on the half-hour mark but Sam Mantom's side-footed effort from a cut-back from Romaine Sawyers was straight at Daniel Bentley.

Neither side could find a breakthrough in the final 15 minutes of the first period, and so the away side headed into the break with a 1-0 lead.