Walsall 3 Northampton 1 - verdict

Walsall won in the league for the first time since the end of September as Chris Palmer's first goal for two and a half years gave them a springboard to victory.

The versatile midfielder rifled in a unstoppable effort after 17 minutes for his first Saddlers goal before Anthony Gerrard doubled their advantage with a close range effort five minutes later.

Northampton rarely threatened in the first half and Troy Deeney extended the Saddlers lead after 63 minutes.

The Cobblers pulled a goal back after 69 minutes, when Leon Constantine headed into an open net after goalkeeper Clayton Ince had saved from Ryan Gilligan. Giles Coke later hit the bar.

It set up a tense finish at the Banks's Stadium and Walsall were indebted to Ince, who tipped Coke's rising drive into the bar and produced a splendid one handed save from Constantine's late headed.

As the game entered injury time Northampton almost pulled another goal back, when Liam Dolman's low effort came back off the out side of the post.