Substitute Jordan Cook grabbed both goals as Walsall beat Port Vale 2-0

Substitute Jordan Cook grabbed both goals as Walsall beat Port Vale 2-0 to hand new coach Sean O'Driscoll a winning start to life in the hotseat.

O'Driscoll, who penned an 18-month contract on Friday as the replacement for Dean Smith, sent Cook into the fray in the 59th minute and was rewarded just four minutes later when the 25-year-old forward put the hosts ahead.

And Cook, who had scored only once this season, drove in the second in the 83rd minute to help Walsall up to second place in Sky Bet League One..

Walsall had a lucky escape in the third minute when keeper Neil Etheridge spilled the ball at the feet of Vale skipper Richard Duffy who netted from close range, but the flag was up for offside.

The Saddlers dominated the early possession and had a great chance on seven minutes, Milan Lalkovic beating the offside trap to collect a through-ball from George Evans, but his shot from a tight angle hit the side-netting.

Vale went close in the 33rd minute, Sam Kelly unleashing a swerving drive which Etheridge turned for a corner, and at the other end Walsall's Romaine Sawyers drilled a low 20-yard shot just wide.

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Walsall dominated the second half and the best Vale had to offer was a couple of shots from the lively AJ Leitch-Smith which were blocked.

The home side had to wait until the 63rd minute to take the lead though, Cook netting with a close-range shot after Anthony Forde's effort had been blocked by keeper Jak Alnwick.

Cook then wrapped up the points with seven minutes to go following good work by Jason Demetriou.