LITTLETON head into Saturday's The Buildbase FA Vase opener on the back of a 4-1 defeat at high-flying Walsall Wood in Midland League Division One.

The Vale side will go from visiting Wood, who boast a 100 per cent record from six league games, to heading to bottom-of-the-table Cadbury Athletic in the Vase first qualifying round (3pm).

Littleton were well beaten in the Black Country by the promotion hopefuls.

Walsall opened strongly and dominated the opening stages but Littleton defended stoutly until the 16th minute.

Paul Sullivan broke down the left and his cross-shot hit the post to drop at the feet of Andrew Westwood who made no mistake from close range.

On 20 minutes it was 2-0 with Joey Butlin curling a free-kick over the wall into the net.

Littleton were then under the cosh and a third goal came on the stroke of half-time through Sullivan from Butlin's cross.

In the second half the visitors played better but could not prevent a fourth on 82 minutes with Sullivan again on target.

Dan Carter pulled one back following a penalty on 87 minutes.