George Bennett analysis: Walsall let more points slip
A wasteful Walsall were ultimately made to pay as Harrogate Town stunned Mat Sadler’s men late on to condemn them to back-to-back league defeats.
Walsall created plenty, but lacked the clinical final touch. Freddie Draper’s injury has left the Saddlers without a focal point up top, while Ross Tierney’s absence also saw Sadler play Oisin McEntee as a single pivot with Ryan Stirk and Brandon Comley as eights.
Douglas James-Taylor was rewarded for his goal at Sheppey United with a first league start of the season.
Danny Johnson’s omission from the starting XI wrangled with some supporters, although he did start the previous league defeat against his former employers Mansfield Town.
Joe Riley, usually a little more reserved in attack, started with real intent down the right.
He combined three times with Tom Knowles inside the opening 10 minutes before his deflected cross eventually led to Comley’s strike being diverted behind.
However, Riley’s afternoon was cut short when he came off worse in a 50/50 tackle with Levi Sutton.
Joe Foulkes was stripped and ready to replace him moments later, and Riley finished the afternoon on crutches.
Gordon dug out a cross into the danger area only for Isaac Hutchinson’s wayward header to squander a golden chance.
