Rochdale 3 Walsall 2

Walsall fell to their fourth defeat in a row after letting a lead and an equaliser slip at Rochdale.

It was looking good after Jonathan Macken's goal for the Saddlers, but the tables were turned through strikes from Josh Thompson and Anthony Elding.

Darren Byfield's equaliser hauled them level but a penalty settled the game, won and scored by Gary Jones.

The goal glut began on four minutes through Macken, Byfield the provider with the low ball through for the veteran striker - who turned 33 on Tuesday - to turn sharply and finish.

But Rochdale equalised through a debut goal from Josh Thompson, the England under-19 international on loan from Celtic, on 27 minutes.

It was an error from goalkeeper Jonny Brain that led to the goal, dropping a Brian Barry-Murphy corner right into the path of Thompson, who lashed the ball home.

Rochdale kicked on to take the lead for the first time a minute before the interval, Brain again to blame as Elding's strike squirmed through him, after Jason Kennedy had played the striker in.

But the home side would not go in at the break level, as Byfield's first goal of the season came a minute into stoppage time.

It was a sweet strike as well, a 35-yard effort that evaded goalkeeper Josh Lillis for the equaliser.

However, the game was to be turned and settled on a penalty in the 65th minute.

Gary Jones burst into the box for Rochdale and, after Clayton McDonald's challenge, referee Colin Webster pointed to the spot.

Jones converted to again consign the Saddlers to defeat.