Walsall 3-1 Preston North End

Andy Butler scored on his only appearance for Sheffield United this season - in the League Cup

Walsall beat Preston to claim a first league win of the season as Andy Butler made a successful return to Bescot.

Romaine Sawyers met an early Adam Chambers pull-back to put the Saddlers one up before Jordan Hugill squared for Joe Garner to level by half-time.

Tom Bradshaw met Anthony Forde's cross to head Walsall back on 49 minutes.

But, after Hugill was sent off for reacting to a solid challenge from on-loan Butler with an apparent headbutt, Paul Downing headed home the clincher.

The Walsall stand-in skipper, deputising for the injured Sam Mantom, met another Forde corner, to plant a near-post 76th minute header - just after the visitors had been reduced to 10 men.

Former Saddlers captain Butler, who rejoined the club on loan from Sheffield United in midweek, lasted the full 90 minutes on his first league appearance of the season.

Walsall, for whom Bradshaw struck his fourth goal of the season, climb to 18th, just two points behind 10th-placed Preston, who suffered their first defeat of the campaign.

Walsall manager Dean Smith told BBC WM:

"A well deserved victory against a really good team and we had to be strong because they're a strong and powerful team.

'We scored some good goals which was really pleasing.

"The cross from Anthony Forde and the run and the header from Tom Bradshaw were fantastic for the second goal.

"There were a lot of players there today who could be first team starters as well, so it shows we've got strength in depth."