James Chambers is an unlikely hero for Walsall

It's unlikely the 33-year-old, who had just two goals in the League Cup for Watford to his name in more than 350 career appearances before yesterday, had made any resolutions about finding the net more.

But the fact he did capped a superb comeback for the Saddlers and a win which moved them within a point of the play-off positions.

Victory also erased the rather annoying statistic of failing to win a game from behind, though for 45 minutes their success looked most unlikely.

Sheffield United, ahead thanks to Chris Porter's fine goal, were giving a seminar in how to play the Saddlers – sitting back and letting the hosts play in front of them.

But the game turned seven minutes into the second half when referee Lee Collins enraged the Blades by pointing to the spot when Andy Butler tumbled in the box.

Craig Westcarr despatched the penalty, the hosts' first shot on target, past visiting keeper George Long and just past the hour James Chambers became the unlikely hero and completed the turnaround when he put the finishing touches on a fine move.

From then on there looked like being only one winner and in truth the margin would have been greater had Julian Gray despatched the simplest of chances.

Visiting boss Nigel Clough called the penalty decision "disgusting" and its impact on the game should not be ignored.

But then the Saddlers could easily point to Sunday's controversial late equaliser conceded at Gillingham and numerous other questionable calls which have gone against them this term.

And even if they did catch a break this time, there is no doubt they made the most of it. By the end there was no doubt they were deserving winners.

Nor should the impact of Smith's substitutions be glossed over. The half-time arrival of Westcarr had already begun to take effect before the hosts levelled and late on, with the visitors hunting a leveller, he rejected the idea of shutting up shop with the introductions of Gray and Ashley Hemmings.

Smith made three changes to the starting line-up with James Chambers, returning for the first time in a month, scoring, while Milan Lalkovic and Troy Hewitt also played their part.

Hewitt had what transpired to be the hosts' best opening of the half when he latched onto James Chambers' long pass but saw his shot blocked.

James Baxendale also drove wide, but it was the visitors who looked more dangerous and they took the lead in fine fashion when Porter took Stephen McGinn's low cross in his stride and fired into the top corner.

After then the Blades submitted a textbook display in how to play Walsall, sitting deep and letting the hosts pass in front of them.

Smith's side simply couldn't find a way through despite their probing. Aside from an Andy Butler header which was planted wide from a Baxendale corner, visiting keeper Long remained unworried and untested through the half.

Instead it was a case of passes going astray from the hosts and the half was best summed up in stoppage time when Adam Chambers failed to see the run of Lalkovic down the left and opted for a square pass.

But everything changed within seven minutes of the restart. Westcarr saw a corner cleared back to him but when he delivered the ball a second time, referee Collins blew up and pointed to the spot – apparently spotting a push by Harry Maguire on Butler.

United's furious players surrounded him, but after a short delay Westcarr held his nerve to send Long the wrong way.

Eight minutes later, the comeback was complete as Sawyers and Sam Mantom exchanged passes before the latter slid the ball to James Chambers and he fired under Long from six yards out.

United looked for a way back and Butler had to be alert to block from Jose Baxter, while Conor Coady also shot wide.

But had they had their shooting boots on the Saddlers could comfortably have won by more. Gray was the biggest culprit, firing wide from six yards out while Long pushed away a Lalkovic drive.