Walsall 4-2 MK Dons: Free-scoring Saddlers extend club record winning streak to nine games

Scott Hogan fired the visitors into a 14th-minute lead before David Okagbue levelled for Walsall just beyond the half-hour mark. 

Liam Gordon scored within 25 seconds of the restart and Harry Williams doubled their advantage on 66 minutes. 

Albert Adomah put the seal on the win nine minutes from time before Kane Thompson-Sommers grabbed a superb consolation for MK Dons. 

Walsall remain 12 points clear at the League Two summit and extended their unbeaten run to 16 league games.

Walsall started life without top scorer Nathan Lowe and needed a result to quell any fears that his departure could prove harmful to their League Two charge.

Mat Sadler made one change from the 5-1 rout over Tranmere Rovers, as Albert Adomah was given the nod in attack alongside captain Jamille Matt, with the pair boasting a combined age of 72.

The midweek cup exit at Peterborough United ended a nine-match unbeaten run in all competitions, although the Saddlers were looking to extend a formidable club record eight-match winning streak. 

Before kick-off, Walsall had gone over three-and-a-half months without tasting a league defeat - a run stretching an astonishing 15 games. 

Meanwhile, MK Dons were eager to get their play-off hopes back on track after a run of four defeats in six games, as they handed debuts to January signings Dan Crowley and Jay Williams. 

Walsall posed the biggest attacking threat in the opening exchanges with Oisin McEntee stabbing wide on the stretch following some good work from Adomah down the left. 

But MK started to zip the ball around nicely and took the lead after 14 minutes when Hogan was afforded the freedom of Walsall's half to break in behind the defence. The striker then chopped on to his right foot and lashed an unerring finish beyond Tommy Simkin at his near post.

They responded well to falling behind with Oisin McEntee helping create overloads down the right and Jamille Matt serving as a strong focal point with his back to goal.

Okagbue levelled the contest just past the half-hour mark when he pounced on an error from McGill. Allen delivered his corner towards the underside of the crossbar and McGill inexplicably spilled the ball inside his six-yard box before Okagbue scrambled his finish over the line.

Walsall took just 25 seconds to take the lead after the break when Liam Gordon doubled his league tally for the season. 

Barrett charged down the right and lifted a cross to the front post which was flicked on by Adomah. Gordon was left unmarked inside the box and confidently planted his finish into the bottom corner with his weaker foot. 

Jellis came close to doubling Walsall's advantage when Allen's corner deflected invitingly into his path. The midfielder struck first time on the half-volley but both McGill and Luke Offord combined to keep him out. 

Adomah volleyed another chance over at the back post before Williams provided Walsall with a crucial two-goal cushion midway into the second half. 

Williams started the move with a long throw into the box which MK were unable to clear. Stirk eventually worked the ball into Williams' path and the defender applied a composed finish into the far bottom corner. 

Jamille Matt was seemingly forced off with 10 minutes left as Josh Gordon made his league return from the bench after four months away with a hamstring injury. 

He closed down McGill who made another error when his undercooked back pass was pounced upon by Jellis. He was brought down by Nico Lawrence but the ball fell invitingly for Adomah, who played to the whistle and dinked the ball home.

Substitute Thompson-Sommers reduced the arrears with 10 minutes remaining with a wonderful strike into the top corner from 20 yards out. 

Next, Walsall travel to Valley Parade to face Bradford City next Saturday before another road trip to Fleetwood Town the following Tuesday.

Teams 

Walsall (3-1-4-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Stirk; Barrett, McEntee, (Lakin 74) Jellis, L Gordon; Adomah, Matt (J Gordon 78).

Unused: Hornby, Asiimwe, Weir, Comley, Johnson.

MK Dons (3-4-2-1): McGill; Offord, Lawrence, Sherring; Nemane, Williams (Thompson-Sommers 59), Kelly (White 68), Tomlinson (Harrison 74); Crowley, Gilbey; Hogan (Hendry 74).

Unused: MacGillivray, O'Reilly, Lemonheigh-Evans,

Referee: Scott Oldham

Attendance: 6,144 (733)