JORDY Hiwula’s late header condemned Southend United to a 1-0 defeat at promotion pushing Walsall this afternoon.

The Saddlers were on top for most of the match but struggled to find a way past an inspired Daniel Bentley who pulled off a string of stunning saves for the Shrimpers.

But Bentley was eventually beaten two minutes from time when Hiwula’s header from Kieron Morris’ right wing corner was adjudged to have crossed the goal-line after hitting the underside of the crossbar.

The late winner saw Walsall move to within three points of second placed Burton Albion with a game in hand.

However, it was Blues who registered the game’s first effort on target when the on loan Tyrone Barnett headed David Worrall’s right wing cross straight at Walsall goalkeeper Neil Etheridge.

The Saddlers soon hit back with Rico Henry sending a well struck 25 yard shot inches over the crossbar and, in the 25th minute, Sam Mantom saw a long range effort impressively tipped wide of the right post by Bentley.

Moments later, Walsall full-back Jason Demetriou fired a stunning 30 yard shot just a fraction over the crossbar before Sawyers went even closer to giving the home-side the lead when his effort was cleared off the line by Gary Deegan.

The home-side remained on top and only a stunning triple save from Bentley then stopped the Saddlers opening the scoring.

Bentley did well to parry out a 20 yard shot from Milan Lalkovic before also denying both Romaine Sawyers and Hiwula in quick succession before Hiwula somehow fired the resulting rebound over the crossbar from close range.

After the break, Bentley again did well to deny Hiwula before Anthony Forde’s follow up effort was cleared off the line by David Worrall.

However, Walsall remained on top and Bentley was soon called into action again as he impressively tipped Mantom’s low, left footed shot around the left post.

Forde then saw another effort smothered by Bentley before Blues boss Phil Brown responded by making his first change of the afternoon, in the 70th minute, as Sam McQueen came on to replace Stephen McLaughlin.

Seconds after the change, the Shrimpers momentarily threatened with Gary Deegan seeing a 25 yard shot tipped over the crossbar by Etheridge.

Blues then made a second alteration, in the 78th minute, with Kevan Hurst replacing Will Atkinson and the winger was immediately involved against his former side as well struck cross-shot struck Walsall defender Matthew Pennington before being scrambled clear.

The Shrimpers soon made a third substitution with Jamar Loza replacing Barnett in attack but the hosts continued to push for a late winner with Morris having a well-struck shot superbly saved by Bentley.

But, with just two minutes to go, Walsall bagged a late winner with Hiwula heading home from close range to send Blues down to 13th in the League One table.

However, the visitors still came close to netting a late leveller with Adam Barrett having a 20 yard volley tipped over by Etheridge.