Albert Adomah at the double as Walsall enjoy winning start under Darren Byfield

Two goals from Albert Adomah helped secure Darren Byfield a win in his first game in caretaker charge of Walsall as the Saddlers won 3-0 at Crewe.

Replacing Mat Sadler, who was sacked after a run of one win in 11 games, Byfield’s men led from the fourth minute when Adomah pounced in the box to flick Charlie Lakin’s low delivery past keeper Ian Lawlor, despite Crewe defenders protesting offside.

Adomah then skewed an effort wide at full stretch, but strike partner Daniel Kanu drew a foul from Lawlor soon after as the keeper dashed off his line.

The Crewe keeper redeemed himself by diving to his right to keep out Kanu’s 31st-minute spot-kick.

Undeterred, Kanu was a threat again when he met Favour Okeke’s cross with a firm header which struck the base of the post.

Crewe’s Josh March posed the first home threat with an acrobatic kick which keeper Myles Roberts pushed around.

Walsall looked the more likely to add to their lead though, and Lakin had a shot blocked before substitute Aaron Pressley steered a shot past the far post.

It was Adomah who eventually rounded off the afternoon in style. First, he slipped with ease past James Connolly to supply Pressley with a perfect cross with the outside of his boot which the striker applied a close-range finish to seven minutes from time.

Then, advancing behind his man, Adomah clipped the ball over Lawlor for his second of the afternoon in stoppage time.