Analysis of Walsall 3 Exeter 2

It was the game no-one wanted – but the win Walsall so desperately needed.

And for a while it looked like the Saddlers' woes would continue, another hard luck story which would threaten to push them over the edge.

But, finally, after 300 minutes of football against Exeter in the last month, they beat the Grecians to claim the victory which, surely, must be the season's tipping point.

George Bowerman's fine finish gave Walsall the feeling which they craved so much and had been missing for so long.

As performances go it was patchy, a mishmash of good and bad to highlight the Saddlers need work.

Struggling to break down a limited Exeter side, they laboured under the growing pressure following two previous winless games against the Grecians.

But it was a win and one which needs to be the catalyst for a league season which initially promised much but has delivered little.

The FA Cup – now involving a second round trip to Dagenham & Redbridge – offers light relief from the League One toils, which still sees Walsall fourth bottom and facing surprise package Stevenage on Saturday.

Victory cannot be underestimated, with skipper Andy Butler admitting afterwards defeat would have brought worrying levels of pressure.

Before Jon Macken and Alex Nicholls struck, the balloon of positivity had already been punctured, pricked by the needle of negativity which threatened to infect every Saddlers cell.

Lose at Stevenage and it would all pile back on but, at least Walsall, now have a springboard, to salvage the season.

The pressure was eased by Bowerman's late winner which saw the 20-year-old claim his second goal in two games.

The striker has crept under the radar after the emergence of Jamie Paterson and has had to wait in line. However, he has a big supporter in boss Dean Smith.

A consolation against Bury at the weekend was followed by a composed and stylish finish last night which belied his tender years.

Smith has shown he is prepared to be patient with his kids after nurturing Paterson and he will do the same again with Bowerman.

But if the pair continue their rapid rise, the manager will find it difficult to resist the clamour from the terraces.

The youthful exuberance adds a fearlessness to a side which has, at times, been frightened to make mistakes and in danger of losing its freedom.

Not that there was much clamour from the stands last night, though, as the attendance of just 2,089 served as a reminder one win will not cure all ills.

It was still a welcome tonic and the Saddlers could have made it easier after a bright opening which saw Nicholls smack the bar.

Exeter, robbed of top scorer Daniel Nardiello by a calf injury, struggled to break down the organised Saddlers as the game slipped into a slumber.

Richard Logan's ambitious effort whistled wide but the Saddlers remained unruffled before they survived a major penalty scare on 38 minutes.

Oliver Lancashire was out-foxed by Logan and pulled the striker back as he shot – but referee Dean Mohareb remained unmoved.

But, four minutes later, the visitors did take the lead when Danny Coles headed on Scott Goldbourne's deep free-kick and Logan hooked in from six yards.

It was sloppy from the hosts, who had looked in little danger, but indicative of their recent lapses in concentration.

While they failed at the back they were blunt up front, again failing to create sufficient first-half openings to convince they could haul themselves back into the contest.

Richard Taundry's scuffed low effort, five minutes after the break, brought ironic cheers but it began a period of Walsall pressure which brought two goals.

Macken equalised from close range when Lancashire nodded down Taundry's deep corner on 64 minutes.

Five minutes later, they were ahead when Bowerman teed up Nicholls to smash into the top corner from 15 yards.

It was a remarkable turnaround but one which didn't last as Elliott Frear's deflected effort, 13 minutes from time, wrong-footed goalkeeper Jimmy Walker to level.

The Saddlers had only themselves to blame, after they took their foot off the gas.

Their lax approach forced extra-time but, just eight minutes in, the impressive Bowerman latched onto Mat Sadler's through-ball to round Krysiak and win the tie.

For Bowerman, it marked a continued rise up the ranks and for Walsall it meant the world.

A winning goal had been so hard to find and now they must make them a habit, starting on?Saturday.

By Nick Mashiter