By Matt Lond & J Bateman
February 23 2003

Jorge Leitao sealed the Saddlers a victory against fading play off hopefuls Watford , Walsall now have a seven piont gap from the drop zone.

Walsall 2-0 Watford Junior 25 Leitao 86 Att: 7,705

Goals from Junior and Jorge Leitao helped ease Walsall's relegation worries with a comfortable win over Watford at the Bescot Stadium. 

Both sides were desperate for the points with Watford keen to boost their play-off chances. 

Watford's Alec Chamberlain was the first goalkeeper to be called into action when he dealt with a header from Junior and his opposite number James Walker made his first save, denying Heidar Helguson. 

Watford were coming more into the game and Jason Norville, who was making his full senior debut, saw his 18-yard effort go wide while Glass' 25-yard shot was blocked by Darren Bazeley, but it was the home side who drew first blood against the run of play after Chamberlain failed to deal with a cross from Bazeley and the ball fell to David Zdrilic, who flicked the ball on to Junior for him to head into an empty net. 

This goal gave Walsall a boost and they created plenty of chances to put themselves further ahead before the end of the half with debutant Carl Robinson going close on a number of occasions. 

Walsall were without Vinny Samways who is waiting for international clearance and they  continued to press forward in the second half with Bazeley's cross cleared by Marcus Gayle and Steve Corica's inswinging corner cleared by Jamie Hand. 

Watford started to come back into the game with Stephen Glass missing a hatful of chances to draw level while Heidar Helguson's 18-yard effort was caught by Walker. 

Gifton Noel-Williams also saw his six-yard effort go wide. The Saddlers finally sealed all three points when substitute Leitao added the second. Walsall cleared a Watford corner and Pedro Matias' cross found Leitao who headed home to secure the win.

Reports Courtesy Of Matt Lond