THE SADDLERS let a two-goal lead slip to lose 3-2 at home to Hartlepool United.

It didn't take long for Walsall to take the lead as a fantastic corner from the left by Chris Palmer was straight onto the head of Michael Ricketts who made no mistake to give us a fourth minute lead.

Some willing chasing by Jabo Ibehre from a back-header saw him put Aaran Lee-Barratt in the Hartlepool goal under pressure as he cleared from just outside his area.

The second goal soon arrived as Troy Deeney whipped in an inviting ball from the right that was seized upon by Ibehre whose header gave Lee-Barratt no chance.

With 20 minutes on the clock, Dwayne Mattis broke the offside trap as he received the ball in the middle only for his effort to be deflected wide for a corner that ultimately came to nothing.

Lee-Barratt blocked well from a stinging Palmer drive before the visitors had their first real effort on goal at the other end as Clayton Ince, back from International Duty after missing the last two games, claimed well from a powerful Kevin Kyle header.

As the visitors started to settle into the game, Andy Monkhouse cut inside from the left only to drag a low shot well wide, then a sharp move on the right ended with Ben Clark crossing right onto the head of Kyle who put his firm header wide from an excellent position.

It was a let-off for Jimmy Mullen's men and acted to give us the kick-start that we needed as Deeney did well to get in an inviting ball from the by-line which was saw Antony Sweeney come extremely close to putting through his own goal at the far post.

The last action of the half saw the visitors survive a goalmouth scramble as The Saddlers went in at the break two goals to the good and in a strong position.

The second period started with a booking for Richard Taundry and Ritchie Jones following a skirmish in the middle of the park.

Some excellent build-up play between Ibehre and Palmer saw the latter cross superbly for the oncoming Deeney who was inches wide.

At the other end, a corner caused problems but was eventually scrambled clear under pressure before James Brown twisted and turned just inside the area to make room for a shot from the angle which flew over.

The visitors were seeing plenty of the ball as they looked for a way back into the game.

On 70 minutes Ricketts did well to use his strength and make room for a low cross that was cleared in front of goal as both Deeney and Ibehre lurked with intent in the middle.

The goal that Hartlepool had threatened finally came on 71 minutes when a cross from the left was swept home by Sweeney from close range as he found space in front of goal.

There was a change as Alex Nicholls replaced Deeney but moments later the north-east outfit were back on level terms when substitute, Matty Robson hit a piledriver into the top corner that gave Ince no chance.

After Taundry had fired over from the edge of the area, Rhys Weston was replaced by Mark Bradley.

With eight minutes left on the clock, the visitors took the lead after a Walsall attack broke down and James Brown was on hand to guide a header beyond the reach of Ince.

It sent the small band of travelling supporters wild with delight, but they had their hearts in their mouths soon afterwards as Ricketts made his presence felt but could only head over as he capitalised upon some defensive hesitation.

As The Saddlers pressed for the equaliser, Ibehre was denied by a superb block from Lee-Barratt as he looked odds on to score.

The closing stages saw Ishmel Demontagnac replace Taundry as Gerrard was booked for a foul.

The full-time whistle then sounded to a chorus of boos.

Today's game highlighted our backing of the Kick It Out 'One Game, One Community' campaign that looks to promote inclusion of all members of the community by using the power of football to reach out to all races, cultures and faiths.

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography