Walsall 2-1 Newport: Alex Pattison last-gasp stunner earns first home win of 2026

Harrison Biggins opened the scoring when he added the finishing touches to a sweeping counter-attack in the 38th-minute after Albert Adomah had hit the post earlier in the half.

The Newport midfielder was repelled by a pair of saves from Myles Roberts either side of half-time, but Daniel Kanu scored his first goal in eight games to equalise after the half-hour mark. 

Pattison capped his man of the match performance with a stunning long-range shot into the bottom corner to secure maximum points in the dying seconds.

Walsall have collected seven points from a possible nine under interim Darren Byfield but remain two points adrift of the play-off spots.

Byfield made two changes from the goalless draw against Cambridge United at Bescot on Tuesday night. 

Alex Pattison was given the nod over Jamie Jellis and Alfie Chang was recalled at the expense of Brandon Comley.

Walsall were winless in eight home games heading into the weekend and had to be patient during a scrappy affair in the opening exchanges. 

James Crole dragged a deflected shot wide from distance and Charlie Lakin saw his attempted flick from an acute angle smothered behind. 

Daniel Kanu sprinted down the inside-left but the Charlton Athletic loanee blazed his shot wide of Jordan Wright's right-hand post from the tightest of angles.

Adomah was released in behind by an astute pass from Pattison but his low shot struck the outside of the far post on the half-hour mark.

Walsall fell behind seven minutes before the interval when Newport sprung a quick counter-attack from a misplaced pass by Chang.

There was an argument that Pattison was fouled earlier in the move, but Crole delivered into the six-yard box for an unmarked Biggins to tap in.

Goal scorer Biggins was denied a quickfire second courtesy of an excellent save by Roberts who sprawled to his right to turn his long-range strike behind.

Kai Evans headed a presentable chance wide at the back post just after the break and Roberts was equal to another low shot from Biggins. 

Kanu ended his seven-match goal drought to equalise midway into the second half with a clinical finish. Mason Hancock delivered low to the edge of the box where Loupalo-Bi was unable to cast the ball under his control. 

The Fulham under-21s loanee helped it out to Pattison and Kanu latched on to his driven cross to lift his shot over the reach of Wright.

Pattison threatened to put Walsall ahead when he embarked on a rampaging run into the box. His first shot was blocked and his second bite of the cherry was foiled by the onrushing Wright.

The winner arrived in the dying seconds when Pattison drilled an incredible low shot into the bottom corner from 25 yards out.

Next, Walsall travel to the JobServe Community Stadium to face Colchester United on Saturday next week.

Teams 

Walsall (4-3-3): Roberts; Browne, Burke, Lopata (Flint 55), Hancock; Pattison, Chang (Jellis 64), Lakin; Adomah (c - Okeke 82), Kanu, Loupalo-Bi (Pressley 64).

Not used: Hornby, Harper, Clarke.

Newport (4-2-3-1): Wright; Shephard (Glennon 85), Davies, Baker (c), Delaney; Sprangler, Evans (Smith 76); Lloyd (Thomas 66), Biggins, Kamwa (Opoku 76); Crole (Baker-Richardson 85).

Not used: MacDonald, Garner.

Other details 

Referee: Ross Joyce

Attendance: 6,652 (717)