Walsall 2 Huddersfield 3 - analysis

But it left only questions.

As Andy Booth's weak effort squirmed out of Rene Gilmartin's grasp and the keeper frantically tried to claw it back, he knew how monumental his error was.

Booth's second and Martin Kelly's second half winner cancelled out Jabo Ibehre's 50th and 51st career goals, but it was one moment that swung the game.

It was Gilmartin's big chance, Clayton Ince had returned but was kept on the bench and the Irishman blew it.

Boss Chris Hutchings, no doubt, was looking for Gilmartin to prove he was Ince's long-term successor. They are, after all, both out of contract in the summer but on Saturday night the manager was still looking for a solution.

He kept to his word and gave the 21-year-old the chance to prove himself. It was Gilmartin's fifth straight start – the best run of his professional career. The trouble with goalkeepers is their mistakes invariably lead to goals, which is why they have to be bulletproof.

The understudy has earned huge respect from certain quarters with the way he conducts himself and is unlikely to have slept much over the weekend. But mistakes are a goalkeeping rite of passage.

Ince has blundered this season – Leicester, Hartlepool and Bristol Rovers have all benefitted from errors – and there is not a keeper in the land who hasn't had a 'bloopers' moment. Gilmartin will come back stronger and sharper.

Hutchings is loyal, he instils faith, just ask Manny Smith. While he refused to talk about Gilmartin in public, there will surely be words behind closed doors.

It would be no surprise to see Gilmartin between the sticks at MK Dons on Saturday. He needs games and the only way to learn is by playing. In picking him again the boss will learn more about his character than from the weekend.

He has made 13 career appearances in four years, has an attitude which belies his age and goalkeepers mature later than other players. The measure of a man – and a player – is how they react and Gilmartin is one who will not let criticism discourage him.

He has done enough to show this season he warrants a new deal, whether Ince stays or not, and he will continue to split opinion.

But the fact is the only opinion which counts is Hutchings'. That is not avoiding the fact he cost the Saddlers the points in a game they seemed destined to win.

From the moment Ibehre rammed home his second in the 27th minute there looked only one winner. Confidence oozed from every pore as the hosts played some of their best football of the season.

Sofiene Zaaboub was the driving force in their fluid 4-3-1-2 formation as the Frenchman tricked and teased his way down the flank. He was at the heart of their best early work as he dragged an effort wide ahead of Ibehre's opener.

Troy Deeney's perfectly weighed throughball sent Ibehre scampering before his shot took a slight knick off the covering Nathan Clarke, but it mattered little.

Walsall were off and running and their free-flowing football was a joy before they doubled their advantage after 27 minutes.

Deeney flicked the ball forward and Ibehre did the rest with all the power and panache of a true finisher. He has shown glimpses of his prowess this season – but not enough – and the honest striker would be the first to admit it.

There is undoubted talent but the ruthless streak has been lacking at vital times, although 10 goals represents a respectable haul following a free transfer from Leyton Orient.

But there was an awful symmetry with Ibehre's last home strike. That goal – in the 3-2 defeat to Hartlepool way back in October – sparked another capitulation as the Saddlers spurned a two-goal advantage and the hitman could be forgiven for thinking he was cursed.

Zaaboub saw a volley cleared off the line by Jim Goodwin, as they searched for the killer third and cruised towards the break.

There was no indication Huddersfield, toothless and punchless, would fight back. They were dead and gone but Gilmartin gifted them a lifeline three minutes before interval.

Danny Cadamateri provided the cross and Booth meekly prodded goalwards from 10 yards. It was a routine stop but somehow Gilmartin let it slip from his grasp and his desperate attempts to recover failed.

If that wasn't bad enough, two minutes later the Terriers levelled. Goodwin tossed in a corner and Booth evaded detection, an impressive feat for a man of his stature, to power in a far post head from six yards.

Suddenly the Saddlers' hard work evaporated. The momentum had shifted.

Huddersfield started the second period like men reborn. Gary Roberts was off target as the hosts waned before Kelly, on loan from Liverpool, turned to curl a sweet shot into the bottom corner for the first goal of his career in the 62nd minute.

Michael Ricketts' free-kick was turned over the bar by Alex Smithies as the hosts mounted half-hearted attacks.

Hutchings, a former Huddersfield player, still lives in the area and joked beforehand he would be mocked should his side be beaten. He lost the local bragging rights.

By Nick Mashiter