AFC Wimbledon 0-1 Walsall: George Bennett's analysis

Then, Walsall had just shipped five goals in a 5-1 drubbing at Plough Lane and saw their faint play-off hopes obliterated on a miserable afternoon. 

Although the weather was akin to that painful April massacre, the character and strength of the team was a complete contrast. 

Last season must be regarded as a season of progression. Walsall teetered on the brink of breaking in the play-offs and showed considerable improvement from the previous four campaigns in the EFL's basement division. 

But consistency ultimately derailed Walsall's failed play-off push and their continued struggles on the road contributed to them eventually falling short. 

On that day, Sadler admitted that Walsall needed to improve defensively and the response from his team has been handsomely backed up by the numbers. 

Walsall boast the best defensive away record in the division having conceded just five times this term and have kept four clean sheets in eight games on their travels. 

They also registered back-to-back away shutouts in the league for the first time in 19 months and showed the type of grit and determination which bodes well for a potential promotion push. 

Walsall are the second highest goal scorers in League Two with a formidable tally of 28 goals but it's equally as key to grind out results under challenging circumstances. 

That is exactly what they did in the capital. The conditions made for a scrappy and gruelling battle in the first half which lacked quality, rhythm and clear-cut chances. 

Last season, Walsall conceded first in 19 of their 23 away fixtures, as opposed to scoring the opener in five of their eight games on their travels so far. They've become a much more solid unit away from Bescot which has helped create a platform for them to grow into games. 

Only once have Walsall conceded in the first half in their last five away games (none of which have ended in defeat) while 10 of their 13 goals away from home have come in the second 45. 

In fact, no team has scored more goals than Walsall in the first 15 minutes of the second half (nine) with Lowe repeating that trend with an all-important winner seven minutes after the restart. 

Walsall flew out of the traps after the break, just as they did at Swindon Town, Salford City and Grimsby Town earlier in the season, and Lowe had a chance within 90 seconds when his tame effort was saved. 

But in the same week that the teenager alluded to the elite mentality of Premier League top scorer Erling Haaland, Lowe brushed his miss aside to move joint-second in the battle for the League Two golden boot. 

Lowe, who was named EFL Young Player of the Month for October, sits just one goal behind leading scorer Andy Cook (nine goals) and only four shy Isaac Hutchinson's tally of 12 league strikes from the previous campaign. 

David Okagbue was arguably the standout performer for Walsall and consolidated his maiden cap for Republic of Ireland under-21s with his second assist of the season. 

The defender made a smart underlapping run to latch on to Connor Barrett's beautiful threaded pass and drove a low ball across the penalty area which Lowe clinically bundled home. 

Wimbledon refused to buckle despite falling behind and Walsall showcased their ability to manage games with a determined defensive performance. The diminutive Ryan Stirk marshalled his troops and never shirked a challenge to play a key role in the midfield battle. 

Tommy Simkin produced a smart save to thwart Myles Hippolyte before the Grenada international crashed another chance against the crossbar. But Omar Bugiel, who terrorised Walsall with his hat-trick showing last season, was stifled expertly by the Saddlers back line. 

Sadler used his substitutions wisely with the introduction of Brandon Comley providing them with extra defensive cover during the closing stages. Fellow substitute Albert Adomah was also a bundle of energy and used his guile and experience to close out the win. 

It was the first time Walsall had been in league action for a fortnight but the games are now set to come thick and fast. That win propelled Walsall into second spot and to within three points of league leaders Port Vale who they boast a game in hand over. 

Walsall welcome newly-promoted Bromley to Bescot on Tuesday before hosting League One outfit Charlton Athletic in the FA Cup second round this weekend. 

They will then be pitted against fellow promotion hopefuls Notts County and Port Vale respectively in the space of four days the following week. It may be too early to regard it them as early promotion six pointers but both games will be ideal opportunities to mark their territory at the top end of the table.