Fleetwood Town's Under-18s' recent unbeaten streak came to an end on Saturday after they lost their league clash against Walsall 2-0 at Poolfoot Farm.
The Saddlers came out the blocks in the Youth Alliance tie and managed to score two goals early on, giving them a comfortable lead just 20 minutes into the game.
The first goal came from a solo-run down the left-wing. The midfielder dribbled past two markers before playing the ball to a player on the edge of the box, whose strike forced a save out of Johnathon Borwick. The goalkeeper spilled the ball in the six-yard box and was converted by their forward.
Six minutes later, the Walsall left-back started a counter-attack after winning the ball off of Joe Collins. He played a through-ball over the top towards their number seven, who placed the ball past the rushing Borwick.
After the half-time break, Walsall had an opportunity to make it three as they dispossessed Ben Thompson in the middle of the park, played the ball over their left-winger, whose shot from range was saved.
On the hour mark, Town came close to narrowing the gap as Bird drove his way into the Walsall half, and played a perfect cross to Akiel Raffie, who was rushing forwards from the midfield, but he couldn't quite get his shot under control as it flew over the crossbar.
Fleetwood were back on the attack again soon after as Cian Hayes had an effort from the left blocked, but the forward pursued the chance and even won it back in the opposition's box, but his shot stuck the far post and was eventually cleared.
Simon Wiles' side struck the woodwork for the second time with ten minutes to go as Bird tried his luck from distance, which summed up a dreary afternoon for the young Cods, as they lost the game by two goals to nil.
Town XI: Borwick (GK), Bird, Batch, Edwards, Patterson, Feeney, Collins, Thompson, Takpe, Raffie, Hayes.
Bench: Eastham (GK), Barratt, Sithole, Wallace, Hoyle.