THE SADDLERS recovered from a first half horror show to win 3-2 at Wycombe Wanderers.
This Halloween clash started with a good early break by Peter Till who fed Darren Byfield and his inviting cross evaded everyone in front of goal. The ball eventually found its way out to Netan Sansara who tried his luck from distance but he was well off target.
The home side threatened for the first time in the fifth minute when a chance opened up for Matt Harrold but Clayton Ince was relieved to be able to gather without too much trouble.
Wycombe took the lead in the 12th minute when a free-kick 40 yards out saw Scott Davies spot Ince well off his line in no man's land and he floated the ball home.
There was a booking for Troy Deeney as the home side played some neat football that was a real treat for their fans. Harrold frightened The Saddlers' defence more as his header flew over.
A teasing cross from Tommy Doherty scared the Walsall back-line on 24 minutes and as the ball was scrambled half-clear, former Saddlers' loanee, Kevin Betsy was denied.
At the other end an excellent ball in from Matt Richards saw Deeney penalised as he looked to take advantage..
With half-time approaching, a corner saw the ball fall out to Davies in acres of space outside the area and he had time to line up a shot that flew past Ince to make it 2-0.
Then another raid by the home side caused all sorts of problems as Ince denied Davies who was first to the loose ball only to see Mark Hughes clear off the line.
Walsall were at sixes and sevens at this stage and with four minutes to go before the break, Steve Jones replaced Till.
The second period began with The Saddlers showing real purpose and Richards linked up well with Darren Byfield who dipped an effort onto the roof of the net.
Richard Taundry, who was back in first-team action for the first time since mid-September, was forced to hobble off in the 52nd minute as Alex Nicholls took his place.
There was a lifeline for Chris Hutchings' side when Jones did well to win the ball and find Richards who in turn attacked the space in front of him before threading through Jones who was cool to slot past Scott Shearer.
By now Walsall were displaying the determination and endeavour that was lacking in the first half.
That said, Harrold fired over from in front of goal, whilst at the other end, Sansara's low cross flashed agonisingly across the danger zone with Deeney just unable to get on the end of it.
Matt Phillips fired over before Sansara had to defend well at the far post to deny the home side who were starting to get a grip on the game once more.
On 78 minutes, Davies made another purposeful break but his low drive crept just wide of the target. There was then a let-off for Walsall when Phillips got to the by-line and his pull-back fell at the feet of substitute, Jon-Paul Pittman who fired well over from an excellent position. It was a miss that he will have nightmares about. particularly as The Saddlers drew level on 81 minutes after a stinging drive from Jones was tipped over by Shearer and from the resulting corner, the home defence failed to clear as Mark Hughes was on hand to fire into the roof of the net.
It sparked much delight for the travelling faithful, but they were holding their breath soon afterwards as Davies was narrowly off target.
As the clock ticked down, Deeney's ball saw Nicholls ghost in to fire a low strike into the far corner to give Walsall all three points and heap more misery on Wycombe.
Nicholls was booked for his celebrations and Sansara followed him in the closing stages as Phillips' strike was well blocked by Hughes deep into stoppage time to force a corner that, despite the 'keeper joining in the attack, came to nothing as The Saddlers held on for a memorable win.
PHOTOS: Emma Perrins
