Walsall remain on the fringe of the relegation fray after a tempestuous contest at Bloomfield Road brought their 11th away defeat of the season. Just for a few seconds, two minutes before half-time, the Saddlers seemed set fair for a morale-boosting win. Blackpool's Richie Wellens had just been red-carded for handballing Julian Bennett's header off the goal-line. Against 10 men, Walsall were poised to take the lead from the penalty spot. But Matty Fryatt's kick was saved. And seconds later the man-extra advantage also evaporated. The Tangerines broke straight back and Keigan Parker went down in the box under Bennett's challenge. Walsall were incensed by a perceived dive and the subsequent melee was brainlessly led by goalkeeper Joe Murphy. Off he went for violent conduct. Nineteen-year-old Dean Coleman duly went on and saved the penalty with his first touch in senior football. After two minutes of tumult it was still goalless but the Saddlers' glimpse of command had gone - and, thanks to Murphy's unprofessionalism, gone for good. Disappeared To the dismay of the 1,500 travelling fans the defensive demons that have plagued Walsall all season bit again. On 57 minutes Mark Wright dwelt on the ball and was robbed deep in his own half. It was worked forward to John Murphy who left Coleman helpless. Thirteen minutes later, Parker was tripped by Neil Emblen - no dive this time --and although Coleman, remarkably, saved a second penalty in his first 27 minutes of league football, the rebound offered Keith Southern a simple tap-in. There was no way back from there. Walsall heads dropped as a contest - and three points - which should have been theirs, disappeared over the horizon. Before the end their fans started to disperse, no doubt to reacquaint themselves with the seafront boozers they frequented the previous night. They had plenty to ponder over their pints. Another away defeat. More selfdestruct defending. A threematch suspension for Murphy. And the threat, remote but a threat none the less, of visits to Barnet, Rochdale and Boston next season. BLACKPOOL (4-4-2): Jones; Coid, Clarke, Butler, Richardson (McGregor, ht); Bullock, Southern, Wellens, Burns (Grayson, 57); Parker (Edwards, 72), Murphy. Subs: Shaw, Edge. WALSALL (4-5-1): Murphy 6; Wright 5, Roper 6, Emblen 6, Bennett 5 (Coleman ht, 7); D Taylor 5, Standing 6 (Merson 66, 5), K TAYLOR 7, Surman 6, Leitao 6; Fryatt 6. Subs: Willetts, Atieno, Broad. Referee: E Ilderton (Tyne & Wear). | 
