United fell to a frustrating defeat on the road at the Poundland Bescot Stadium.
Mike Williamson made two changes from his side that secured a point against Harrogate Town last time out - Aaron Hayden and Josh Vela replaced Dominic Sadi and Taylor Charters.
Nathan Lowe opened the scoring, lashing home off the past following a rapid start to proceedings for the hosts, before a quickfire double at the start of the second-half from Jamie Jellis and Jamille Matt all but sealed the points for the Saddlers.
Jon Mellish went on to net what would be a consolation goal for the visitors in the final ten minutes after turning home a corner at the far post.
It was an electric start for the Saddlers, after intercepting the ball on the edge of United’s area, Nathan Lowe was slipped through and turned home off the post inside the opening two minutes.
Connor Barrett looked to double their advantage five minutes later, gliding inside onto his left-foot, but his effort was deflected into the arms of Harry Lewis to the relief of the travelling support just behind his goal.
United were provided with their first big chance on 14 minutes. Terell Thomas played a ball through the Walsall backline to an on-running Jon Mellish down the left, who was looking to hammer a low ball across the box before being challenged superbly by one of the hosts’ defenders to avert the threat.
On 23 minutes, the Blues were awarded their first corner of the contest after Callum Guy’s effort from outside the area was deflected over Tommy Simkin’s crossbar. Sam Lavelle would rise highest but was unable to guide an attempt on target.
Lowe came close to extending his tally and the Saddlers’ just before the half-hour mark after latching onto a brilliant long ball by Simkin. Aaron Hayden was alert to get across and guide his man wide, prior to his opponent’s low shot being saved by Lewis.
Cameron Harper showed brilliant drive and endeavour to create Carlisle’s next opportunity on goal, the natural left-sided defender who was playing on the opposite flank this evening, cut inside and rifled an effort on the hosts’ goal which landed just wide.
Mellish continued to show energy down the left in the remaining minutes of the first-half, finding Vela shortly before the interval, but the midfielder’s initial touch fell into the arms of the Walsall ‘keeper.
HALF-TIME: Walsall 1-0 United
Like the first-half, the Saddlers came flying out the traps in the second. Jamie Jellis found himself through on Lewis’ goal after Jamille Matt nodded the ball over United’s defence, he made no mistake, slotting home calmly into the far corner.
Soon after it was three. Following a free-kick, the Cumbrians were unable to clear their lines and the hosts' skipper Matt blasted home from point-blank range.
Substitute Tyler Burey looked to reduce the deficit 20 minutes into the second-half, however, his drive from outside the box flew over the bar.
On 78 minutes, Walsall should’ve almost certainly made it four after driving forward following an interception in the centre of the park. With options left and right, Albert Adomah’s delayed pass was picked up by a United defender and cleared.
The Blues netted a consolation with eight minutes left to play. A corner made its way through a crowd of bodies to Jon Mellish at the back post, who converted in front of United’s away support.
Luke Armstrong had a chance to pull another back for the Blues in the last minute, but his shot was straight at Walsall's shot-stopper Simkin.
FULL-TIME: Walsall 3-1 United
Teams:
Walsall - Simkin, Barrett, Gordon, Lowe (79’ Johnson), Lakin (61’ Earing), Matt © (61’ Adomah), Allen, Jellis (72’ Hall), Williams, Stirk (72’ Comley), Okagbue
Unused subs - Hornby, Daniels
United - Lewis, Harper (59’ Burey), Thomas, Lavelle © (71’ Barclay), Hayden (46’ Sadi), Guy (60’ Robson), Biggins, Vela (60’ Charters), Neal, Mellish, Armstrong
Unused subs - Breeze, Dudik
Goals:
Walsall - (2’ Lowe), (49’ Jellis), (56’ Matt)
United - (82' Mellish)
Match officials:
Referee - Scott Oldham
Assistant Referee - Daniel Flynn
Assistant Referee - Steven Plane
Fourth Official - Danny Jarvis
Attendance:
4,939 (335 away)
