Walsall 0-1 Crewe Alexandra

Dugdale has scored just six goals in 132 matches for Crewe

Adam Dugdale lashed in his first goal since May to earn bottom club Crewe Alexandra their first League One away win of the season at Walsall.

Crewe substitute Billy Waters' 84th-minute corner was only half cleared.

And big centre-half Dugdale, whose goal on the final day of last season helped keep Crewe up, latched onto a loose ball to blast in left-footed from close range.

The Alex's first clean sheet in League One still keeps them bottom.

Walsall drop into the bottom four after three games without a win.

Crewe's back three were the key to their second straight victory, limiting Dean Smith's side to very few worthwhile chances.

Mathieu Manset shot left footed just across the face and Jordan Cook's impudent 20-yard chip was tipped over by Crewe keeper Ben Garratt, while Romaine Sawyers whistled one just wide in the first half.

But Crewe had the better early chances, Brad Inman lobbing just wide while Alan Tate saw a header fly just over from George Cooper's corner and Anthony Grant's right-foot angled shot went straight at the keeper.

And former Walsall striker Febian Brandy's well-struck right foot shot was safely caught by Richard O'Donnell, only for the Saddlers keeper to almost clumsily spill it through his own legs.

Walsall manager Dean Smith told BBC WM:

"I don't think we deserved to lose, but I don't think we did enough to win.

"It was like a chess match. Neither team were creating much and they've nicked it at the end from a corner which we should have cleared.

"We've missed Tom Bradshaw up front, but we've not played well in every match that he has missed.

"Paul Downing and James Baxendale were suffering from a sickness bug that has swept our training ground."

Crewe boss Steve Davis told BBC Radio Stoke:

"It was not a great spectacle. A game of few chances, but we just nicked it and deserved to win.

"It's lovely to have followed up last week's win with another victory.

"We've got a good record here. We felt good about today.

"They've had some good results here. They drew with Bristol City, so to come here and win is a real plus."