MK Dons' Sam Baldock and Danny Woodards gave the Football League's youngest boss Karl Robinson a winning start to his managerial career.
Baldock fired home from Luke Chadwick's pass after Saddlers keeper Jon Brain spilled a Jermaine Easter through ball.
Manny Smith equalised for under-par Walsall when he headed home from Julian Gray's corner.
But Woodards grabbed the winner with a powerful stooping header from an Angelo Balanta flag kick.
MK Dons manager Karl Robinson told BBC Three Counties Radio: "The enthusiasm for the Milton Keynes shirt today was immense. I just hope that continues now until the end of the season.
"I am disappointed how we conceded a goal through a set-piece.
"The fans travelled in the hundreds today and for us it was magnificent. We just want to make them proud."
Live text and stats
Saturday, 7 August 2010
Npower League One
Home Team
Score
Away Team
Time
Walsall
1-2
MK Dons
FT
(HT 0-1)
Smith 48
Baldock 42
Woodards 60
Walsall
01 Brain
05 Lancashire yellow card (McDonald 90)
14 Taundry
23 McGivern
03 Lescott
06 Smith
08 Richards
18 Gray
07 Jones
09 Byfield
11 Nicholls
Substitutes
21 Bevan,
02 Westlake,
04 McDonald,
12 Marshall,
20 Geddes,
15 Paterson,
19 Grigg
MK Dons
01 Martin
03 Lewington
06 O'Hanlon
15 Woodards
07 Gleeson
13 Carrington
16 Hamann (Howell 83)
26 Chadwick (Guy 83)
08 Easter (Ibehre 88)
10 Baldock
11 Balanta
Substitutes
17 Searle,
20 Pele,
24 Flanagan,
21 Howell,
27 Powell,
14 Guy,
19 Ibehre
Ref: MathiesonAtt: 4,034
WALSALL
MK DONS
Possession
Walsall47%
MK Dons53%
Attempts on target
Walsall2
MK Dons7
Attempts off target
Walsall2
MK Dons3
Corners
Walsall3
MK Dons5
Fouls
Walsall12
MK Dons6
Final Result
94:14 The match begins.
Full Time
90:00+1:54 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
90:00+1:19 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
90:00+0:35 Goal kick taken long by David Martin (Milton Keynes Dons).
90:00 The referee signals the end of the game.
89:17 Substitution Clayton McDonald on for Oliver Lancashire.
89:17 Unfair challenge on Sam Baldock by Emmanuele Smith results in a free kick. Free kick taken by Sam Baldock.
88:29 Goal kick taken long by David Martin (Milton Keynes Dons).
87:38 Substitution Jermaine Easter goes off and Jabo Ibehre comes on.
86:48 Attacking throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
86:25 Attacking throw-in by Darren Byfield (Walsall).
86:06 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
85:47 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
85:13 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
83:16 Angelo Balanta takes the outswinging corner, clearance made by Matthew Richards.
83:10 Goal kick taken long by David Martin (Milton Keynes Dons).
82:06 Substitution Luke Howell is brought on as a substitute for Dietmar Hamann.
82:06 Substitution Lewis Guy is brought on as a substitute for Luke Chadwick.
80:32 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
79:38 Steve Jones has an effort at goal from deep inside the area missing to the left of the target.
79:14 Corner taken by Julian Gray.
78:45 Free kick awarded for a foul by Dietmar Hamann on Darren Byfield. Richard Taundry takes the direct free kick.
78:04 Goal kick taken long by David Martin (Milton Keynes Dons).
77:03 A cross is delivered by Steve Jones, Dean Lewington manages to make a clearance.
76:31 Corner taken by Steve Jones from the right by-line to the near post.
75:45 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
75:40 Goal kick taken long by Jon Brain (Walsall).
74:26 Ryan McGivern gives away a free kick for an unfair challenge on Jermaine Easter. Stephen Gleeson takes the free kick.
73:27 Goal kick taken long by Jon Brain (Walsall).
72:31 Goal kick taken long by David Martin (Milton Keynes Dons).
69:46 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
68:10 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
67:49 Free kick awarded for a foul by Richard Taundry on Mark Carrington. David Martin restarts play with the free kick.
66:48 Steve Jones concedes a free kick for a foul on Dean Lewington. David Martin takes the free kick.
65:55 Matthew Richards has an effort at goal from 25 yards. David Martin makes a save.
65:35 Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
65:04 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
64:23 Attacking throw-in by Angelo Balanta (Milton Keynes Dons).
63:39 Goal kick taken long by Jon Brain (Walsall).
63:31 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
62:31 Attacking throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
61:58 Darren Byfield challenges Dan Woodards unfairly and gives away a free kick. David Martin restarts play with the free kick.
61:28 Sam Baldock is ruled offside. Indirect free kick taken by Jon Brain.
59:03 The assist for the goal came from Angelo Balanta. Oliver Lancashire gets a block in.
59:03 GOAL - Dan Woodards:Walsall 1 - 2 MK Dons Dan Woodards scores a headed goal from inside the penalty box. Walsall 1-2 Milton Keynes Dons.
57:38 Direct strike on goal from the free kick comes in from Jermaine Easter. Dietmar Hamann takes a shot. Angelo Balanta takes a outswinging corner to the near post,
57:38 Booking The referee cautions Oliver Lancashire for unsporting behaviour.
57:16 Oliver Lancashire challenges Jermaine Easter unfairly and gives away a free kick.
56:50 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
56:32 Unfair challenge on Mark Carrington by Alex Nicholls results in a free kick. Sean O'Hanlon takes the free kick.
53:47 Angelo Balanta has an effort at goal from just inside the penalty box that bounces off the post.
53:25 Emmanuele Smith challenges Jermaine Easter unfairly and gives away a free kick. Dietmar Hamann takes the direct free kick.
53:08 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
52:42 Handball decision goes against Sam Baldock. Free kick taken by Jon Brain.
52:22 Attacking throw-in by Angelo Balanta (Milton Keynes Dons).
51:23 Foul by Emmanuele Smith on Sam Baldock, free kick awarded. Dean Lewington restarts play with the free kick.
50:42 Attacking throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
49:46 Attacking throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
48:52 Free kick awarded for an unfair challenge on Steve Jones by Dean Lewington. Free kick crossed right-footed by Steve Jones.
47:26 Assist by Julian Gray.
47:26 GOAL - Emmanuele Smith:Walsall 1 - 1 MK Dons Emmanuele Smith scores a headed goal from deep inside the penalty area. Walsall 1-1 Milton Keynes Dons.
47:15 Outswinging corner taken left-footed by Julian Gray,
46:41 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
46:34 Attacking throw-in by Julian Gray (Walsall).
46:02 Corner taken by Angelo Balanta from the right by-line, clearance by Ryan McGivern.
45:22 Handball by Darren Byfield. David Martin takes the indirect free kick.
45:01 The second half kicks off.
Half Time
45:00+0:54 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
45:00+0:34 Defending throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
45:00 The referee blows for half time.
44:54 Goal kick taken long by David Martin (Milton Keynes Dons).
44:12 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
43:16 Darren Byfield challenges Dan Woodards unfairly and gives away a free kick. David Martin takes the direct free kick.
Correction - 41:18 Luke Chadwick provided the assist for the goal.
Correction - 41:18 GOAL - Sam Baldock:Walsall 0 - 1 MK Dons Sam Baldock finds the back of the net with a goal from inside the six-yard box to the bottom left corner of the goal. Walsall 0-1 Milton Keynes Dons.
41:18 Assist (pass) by Sam Baldock (Milton Keynes Dons) from right by-line.
41:18 GOAL - Jermaine Easter:Walsall 0 - 1 MK Dons Goal by Jermaine Easter (Milton Keynes Dons) right-footed (bottom-left of goal) from right side of six-yard box (6 yards).Walsall 0-1 Milton Keynes Dons.
39:17 Dietmar Hamann challenges Darren Byfield unfairly and gives away a free kick. Strike on goal comes in from Richard Taundry from the free kick.
Correction - 37:06 The ball is swung over by Luke Chadwick, Jermaine Easter takes a shot. Save made by Jon Brain.
37:06 Cross by Luke Chadwick (Milton Keynes Dons), shot by Jermaine Easter (Milton Keynes Dons) right-footed from centre of penalty area (6 yards), save (parried) by Jon Brain (Walsall).
36:38 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
36:21 Foul by Sam Baldock on Matthew Richards, free kick awarded. Free kick taken by Oliver Lancashire.
35:45 Handball decision goes against Alex Nicholls. David Martin takes the free kick.
34:32 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
34:14 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
33:30 Sam Baldock is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Free kick taken by Jon Brain.
33:02 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
32:44 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
32:30 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
31:55 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
31:29 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
30:55 The ball is delivered by Richard Taundry, Sean O'Hanlon manages to make a clearance.
29:43 Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
28:18 Defending throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
27:36 Defending throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
27:17 Attacking throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
26:51 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
26:17 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
25:42 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
Correction - 25:20 Attacking throw-in by Richard Taundry (Walsall).
25:01 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
23:45 Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
23:29 Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
23:16 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
22:52 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
22:23 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
21:26 Unfair challenge on Oliver Lancashire by Sam Baldock results in a free kick. Direct free kick taken by Oliver Lancashire.
20:56 The assistant referee signals for offside against Sam Baldock. Jon Brain restarts play with the free kick.
20:18 Ryan McGivern challenges Luke Chadwick unfairly and gives away a free kick. Dietmar Hamann takes the free kick.
19:55 Defending throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
19:21 Jermaine Easter is flagged offside by the assistant referee. Oliver Lancashire restarts play with the free kick.
18:49 Attacking throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
18:15 The referee blows for offside. David Martin takes the indirect free kick.
17:33 Goal kick taken long by Jon Brain (Walsall).
16:24 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
15:53 Attacking throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
14:49 Shot by Sam Baldock. Blocked by Emmanuele Smith.
13:58 Mark Carrington is adjudged to have handled the ball. Richard Taundry takes the free kick.
13:35 Attacking throw-in by Luke Chadwick (Milton Keynes Dons).
12:06 Sam Baldock concedes a free kick for a foul on Oliver Lancashire. Free kick taken by Oliver Lancashire.
11:25 Shot from just outside the box by Jermaine Easter goes over the bar.
11:04 Attacking throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
10:11 Defending throw-in by Aaron Lescott (Walsall).
7:44 The referee gives a free kick against Darren Byfield for handball. Free kick taken by Dietmar Hamann.
7:18 Defending throw-in by Ryan McGivern (Walsall).
4:46 Jermaine Easter fouled by Richard Taundry, the ref awards a free kick. Dean Lewington produces a strike on goal direct from the free kick.
4:20 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
2:22 Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Angelo Balanta from the right by-line, Mark Carrington takes a shot. Clearance by Oliver Lancashire. Outswinging corner taken right-footed by Angelo Balanta, Matthew Richards makes a clearance.
2:05 Attacking throw-in by Dean Lewington (Milton Keynes Dons).
1:37 Attacking throw-in by Stephen Gleeson (Milton Keynes Dons).
1:09 Attacking throw-in by Luke Chadwick (Milton Keynes Dons).
0:44 Goal kick taken long by David Martin (Milton Keynes Dons).
Live text and data provided by The Press Association.
E-mail this to a friend 
Printable version 
Goals of the Season - Football League
Bookmark with:
What are these?