Struggling Walsall gave themselves a fighting chance of avoiding relegation from the First Division with a well-deserved win over Nottingham Forest at the City Ground.

With only three minutes gone the Saddlers were ahead with a breathtaking strike from Fitzroy Simpson.

The battling midlanders were awarded a free-kick 25 yards from goal after David Prutton's foul on Don Goodman, and Simpson strode up to smash home the opening goal.

Marlon Harewood had a great opportunity to get Forest level immediately afterwards but his shot from the edge of the area slipped past the post.

In the 20th minute the young Forest striker did as he had threatened and brought Forest level.

The Walsall defence stood and admired Harewood's neat turn on the edge of the area and with no challenge forthcoming he strode forward and slotted home a fine goal to level at 1-1.

Simpson, obviously heartened by his beautiful opener, again tried his luck from distance a couple of minutes later but this time his aim was slightly off and the ball flew just wide of Darren Ward's left-hand post.

Michael Dawson and Adam Proudlock - for Riccardo Scimeca and Andy Gray - were the only changes Paul Hart made to the side thrashed 3-0 at Manchester City on Saturday, and both recalled players had chances to put Forest ahead midway through the half.

First Dawson got to Eugen Bopp's corner from six yards out only to head straight at James Walker.

Then Proudlock, on loan from Wolves, tried his luck from 25 yards, his effort heading for the top corner before Walker pulled off a great save to tip it round the post.

As half-time approached Walsall, who started the day second from bottom in Division One and really in need of a victory, went on the hunt again.

Veteran striker Goodman should really have done better when Pedro Matias' cross found the former Sunderland and Wolves man unmarked but Ward comfortably saved his weak header.

However, in first-half injury time Matias put the visitors ahead again with a stunning 18-yard volley which gave Ward no chance.

On the hour Harewood had a great chance to grab his second equaliser of the game but somehow managed to clear the bar with the goal gaping from just six yards out.

When the 22-year-old forward passed up a similar opportunity 10 minutes later it looked like being Walsall's day.

Steve Corica looked like he had made the game safe with Walsall's third four minutes from time.

The Australian made a telling run down the left and with the Forest defence being drawn away by Goodman, Corica cut inside and lashed home an unstoppable 18-yard effort.

There was still time for Harewood to grab his second from the penalty spot after Gus Uhlenbeek had fouled Jack Lester but Colin Lee's men were not to be denied.

Teams:

Nottm Forest: Ward, Louis-Jean, Michael Dawson, Hjelde, Brennan, Prutton, Williams, Bopp (Westcarr 70), Reid (Lester 80), Harewood, Proudlock.

Subs Not Used: Formann, Kevin Dawson, Cash.

Booked: Michael Dawson, Proudlock.

Goals: Harewood 20, 89 pen.

Walsall: Walker, Uhlenbeek, Roper, Carbon, Aranalde, Corica (Bennett 90), O'Connor, Simpson, Matias, Goodman, Wrack.

Subs Not Used: Harper, Biancalani, Herivelto, Birch.

Booked: O'Connor.

Goals: Simpson 5, Matias 45, Corica 86.

Att: 16,659

Ref: R Furnandiz (Doncaster).