THERE was to be no resurrection from Swindon Town on Easter Monday as they slipped to a 1-0 defeat away to Walsall.

Joe Edwards’ 85th minute strike was enough to ensure all three points stayed with the Saddlers at the Bescot Stadium.

 Luke Williams opted to make one change for today’s game as he introduced Ben Gladwin at the expense of Jonathan Goddard.

It was almost a disastrous start for visitors as the hosts carved Swindon open within the first minute of the game.

Kieron Morris broke down the left-hand-side and dug out a low ball across the Town penalty area.

Initially Eoghan Bakayoko fluffed his lines, but the ball squirmed through to full-back Jason McCarthy who was able to get his shot away, only for Dion Conroy to be on hand to bail his teammates out on the goal-line.

It took five minutes for Town to fashion a chance of their own. Ben Gladwin was the first to get a shot on target and in all honesty it was a bit of a pea roller from the midfielder, who saw his left-footed effort easily dealt with by Craig MacGillivray.

It would be another five minutes until Swindon’s next attempt to break the deadlock, this time Fankaty Dabo’s long-range effort flashed just wide as the visitors began to turn the screw.

Gladwin was enjoying a fine game for Town as he continued to drive at the Walsall defence from a central position.

It nearly came good on the half-hour mark when he turned and found Jonathan Obika wide on the left.

From here the striker cut onto his right-foot but had his effort blocked by James O’Connor as it remained 0-0 at the interval.

The second 45 minutes were almost a mirror image of the first, Walsall very nearly caught Town out in the opening exchanges.

Defender  Edwards made tracks down the left before offloading to Morris who could only drag his shot wide of the far-post.

As the game then threatened to peter out, Williams was the first to make a change as he brought Goddard on for Conor Thomas with 65 minutes on the clock.

Williams’ troops next had an effort when Goddard did well to make room on the left before he picked out  Nicki Ajose.

The striker then hesitated before forwarding it onto Rohan Ince, who could only fire wide from just outside the penalty area.  

With eight minutes left to play Swindon came close to finally breaking the deadlock. Charlie Colkett floated a ball towards Gladwin who did well to get an effort on goal.

However Saddlers keeper MacGillivray demonstrated fantastic reflexes to get down to his right and push the ball around the post.

Jon Whitney’s outfit delivered a late sucker punch for Swindon who were lethargic while getting back as Oztumer had plenty of time to turn and find Edwards. 

The defender took over from there and slotted the ball past a helpless Lawrence Vigouroux to seal a 1-0 win for the home side.