Analysis of Huddersfield 4 Walsall 3

Walsall's unremarkable season was the setting for the most extraordinary game – as the Saddlers were plucky losers yet again.

Incredible, improbable, unbelievable – call it what you want but boss Chris Hutchings will call it three points lost.

Setting aside the grandstand finish, another red card and a sterling fightback the Saddlers still went home empty handed.

Fans, players and management alike made the journey back last night cursing Huddersfield's late show.

Points are currency in this game and while plenty can be taken away from the Galpharm Stadium a win isn't among them.

Too many times this season have the Saddlers come close but fallen just short. It's the familiar tale of the courageous underdogs.

Of course there have been success stories but, in the main, the 'what if' factor dominates the campaign.

Again, if the Saddlers had hung on last night after Alex Nicholls had put them 3-2 up with seven minutes to play, it would have been the result of the season.

But their soft underbelly was exposed to give the hosts a lifeline.

The opportunity for retribution comes at Swindon on Saturday – another side gunning for promotion – and should they keep 11 men on the pitch expect some frustration to be unleash in Wiltshire.

And had they claimed a win last night it would have been in the face of adversity thanks to Mark Hughes' dismissal.

The Saddlers have been forced to play five of their last nine matches with 10 men and, unfortunate or not, they cannot keep putting themselves in those positions.

They are not ill disciplined but the sight of another Saddler marching towards an early bath raises serious questions about their decision making.

Troy Deeney only returned from his own suspension last night as Alex Nicholls dropped to the bench.

Away from the pressure cooker – although results and atmosphere could argue differently – of the Banks's Stadium the plan was to silence the home crowd.

With nothing but pride on the line they had the chance to go out in style, free from the stress of any relegation and promotion issues.

And for the opening stages they were a team released from the burden of expectation.

Walsall even had the ball in the net after eight minutes but Darren Byfield was booked for handball after Alex Smithies had denied Hughes with a splendid one handed save.

Gary Roberts skimmed a 25-yarder wide before Darryl Westlake's blocked denied him as the hosts found their stride.

Rene Gilmartin was out quickly to thwart Theo Robinson but the Saddlers' game plan fell to pieces on 20 minutes.

Hughes misjudged a long ball, allowing Rhodes through and in his desperation to recover the skipper clipped the striker's heels to concede a penalty and receive his second red card in four outings.

It was a disaster of epic proportions and Robinson duly buried the spot kick.

From then the first half was routine for the Terriers as Roberts became the Saddlers' tormentor-in-chief.

The winger gave Westlake an education and forced Gilmartin to tip his rising drive over five minutes before the break.

Quite how Huddersfield hadn't added to their tally before then was down to Walsall's luck and the Terriers' wastefulness.

Robinson, Jordan Rhodes and Roberts all wasted good openings and a second goal seemed inevitable.

The Saddlers were powerless to stop the hosts pouring forward and Rhodes finally extended Huddersfield's lead in first half stoppage time when he broke onto Danny Drinkwater's pass and stroked into the corner.

In truth, it was only what the Terriers deserved and Rhodes headed over just before the hour as the hosts chased a third.

The Saddlers searched for any kind of foothold to get them back in the game and they stunned the Galpharm when they pulled one back on 63 minutes.

Deeney, who never stopped running all night, chased a long ball to cause panic between Peter Clarke and Smithies – with the goalkeeper's clearance cannoning off the striker and into the net.

Suddenly the hosts, at ease all evening, were nervous as the Saddlers sensed an improbable result.

And they bagged the equaliser on 69 minutes when a looping cross caught out the hosts' defence and Deeney lashed in a half volley.

The game had been turned on its head by two moments of opportunism from Deeney but Gilmartin had to be alert to deny Kay immediate after.

Richard Taundry's free kick stung Smithies' palms and Peter Clarke headed wide at the other end.

Huddersfield's invention was running dry and the numerical advantage, once so obvious, had seemingly disappeared.

And after 83 minutes so had their lead as the Saddlers completed an unbelievable turnaround.

Julian Gray tossed in a right wing corner and when Huddersfield failed to clear Nicholls swivelled to bury from six yards.

And if that was unbelievable what happened next was simply astonishing.

In desperation Huddersfield threw men forward and eventually got a break when Kay bundled in at the far post off Anthony Pilkington's corner.

The Saddlers cried foul after Gilmartin seemed to be held but their pleas fell on deaf ears and they were rocked by a final blow when Lee Novak smashed in the winner after Robinson's knockdown.

Robinson even had time to lob onto the top of the bar and this time there would be no fightback.

By Nick Mashiter.