Oldham Athletic fell to a defeat as Erhun Oztumer’s goal in the 90th minute won the game for Walsall.
All had started well for Latics who took the lead on the half hour mark through Ryan McLaughlin.
Joe Edwards equalised for the Saddlers after the break before a late Oztumer strike ensured Latics came away from the Banks’s Stadium pointless.
Manager John Sheridan made three changes to the side which went out of the Carabao Cup in midweek.
Mason Fawns was handed his Oldham Athletic debut as Sheridan’s side lined up in a 4-3-3 formation with Aaron Amadi-Holloway in the centre of the attack.
It was a slow start to the game but the visitors had the first two chances of the game.
Shaun Donnellan rose highest from a corner which went over the bar whilst a minute later, Kieran Morris struck wide from 25 yards.
After a stoppage in play following an injury to James Wilson, Latics started to dictate the play and looked the most likely to take the lead.
However, Latics had to be wary on 20 minutes as Amadou Bakayoko fed Nicky Devlin from 25 yards but the midfielder’s effort was saved by Ben Wilson.
Latics then forced a number of corners and started to pile the pressure on the Walsall defence.
Midway through the first half, Ollie Banks fired wide from 25 yards as Latics continue to trouble the defence.
Craig Davies volleyed over just before the half hour mark before Latics were forced into a bit of defending.
A corner into the box eluded everyone but Rob Hunt was on the line to make sure the ball didn’t go into the back of the net.
Latics took the lead on 32 minutes through pact winger McLaughlin.
The winger received the ball wide, crossed into the box towards Davies, he might have got a touch on the ball, but it deceived the goalkeeper and went into the back of the net.
Latics were well on top in the game and stroking the ball around with confidence.
The supporters responded and were in fine voice all afternoon.
Latics almost doubled their lead just before the break as Holloway raced at the defence and shot from 25 yards but Mark Gillspie made the save.
The visitors started the second half brightly and looked a threat from set pieces.
Bakayoko headed over from six yards on 50 minutes whilst two minutes later, Walsall were level.
A corner into the box was not dealt with and the ball found Edwards on the edge of the box and his shot deflected into the corner to level the scores.
Erhun Oztumer started to have an effect on the game as he almost put the home side ahead after the hour mark.
Luke Leahy headed across the box to Oztumer but the attacker’s header went inches wide of Wilson’s goal.
Sheridan made changes and switched to a 3-5-2 formation but they still had to be wary of Walsall’s attack.
On 72 minutes, Walsall almost took the lead as Oztumer struck against the post and the ball eventually rebounded to Bakayoko but he could not convert from close range.
Goalkeeper Wilson was booked for time wasting a minute later, whilst the home side continued to pressure his goal with Kieran Morris going close.
Latics did almost retake the lead with 10 minutes remaining as McLaughlin, who was a bright spark all afternoon, hit a shot from 25 yards but Gillespie tipped around the post.
The Saddlers took the lead in the final minute of the game as a long throw in found Oztumer at the back post and he converted past Wilson to win the game for the hosts.
Latics did almost equalise in the dying seconds of the game but Tope Obadeyi’s header was well saved by Gillespie.
Walsall: Gillespie, Edwards, Leahy, Guthrie, Devlin, Chambers, Oztumer (Jackson 90+4’), Morris, Wilson, Bakayoko, Donnellan.
Subs not used: Roberts, Kinsella, Sangha, Roberts, Kouhyar, Candlin.
Oldham Athletic: Wilson, Dummigan, Clarke, Gerrard, Hunt, Fane, Fawns (Wilson 67’), Banks, McLaughlin, Davies (Obadeyi 67’), Holloway (Duffus 84’).
Subs not used: Kyeremeh, Edmundson, Mantack, Osei,
Goals: Walsall (Edwards 53’, Oztumer 90’) 2-1 Oldham Athletic (McLaughlin 32')
Attendance: 4,419