Goals from Wes McDonald and Alfie Bates at the end of each half saw Walsall keep their good form going with a 2-0 win at Scunthorpe.

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After McDonald's 43rd minute opener, the Saddlers survived a second-half onslaught before Bates wrapped things up on the break to make it six league games unbeaten and inflict a first home defeat since August on the Iron.

Scunthorpe had looked the most likely scorers before McDonald struck, with Lee Novak blazing over and Kevin Van Veen and Abo Eisa both forcing good saves out of visiting goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

Caolan Lavery had earlier squandered a good chance when denied by the legs of Rory Watson, but McDonald's well-worked opening, which saw his shot across goal deflect into the top corner, was against the run of play.

In the second half, Scunthorpe again piled on the pressure, but the Saddlers' defence held firm.

Novak again went close, as did Levi Sutton, who saw one strike from range tipped onto the bar and another bounce inches wide after taking a deflection.

But any hopes they had of an equaliser disappeared when Walsall broke quickly six minutes from time and Bates fired in his first league goal from inside the penalty area.

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