Troy Deeney’s late winner capped Walsall’s fightback as the Saddlers claimed their first home victory since November against Brentford.

The striker netted his 11th of the season just as the sides started to cancel each other out.

Alex Nicholls’ third of the campaign levelled after Charlie MacDonald had slammed the Bees into a 17th minute lead.

But the hosts’ celebrations were tempered after Dwayne Mattis was stretchered off in the second-half.

Steve Jones returned to the bench after over two months out with a groin injury while Darren Byfield replaced Peter Till – sidelined with a hamstring problem – as Nicholls switched to the right wing.

Ex-Wolves striker Carl Cort was among the substitutes for the Bees – who had only scored seven away league goals prior to their Banks’s visit.

Nicholls had goalkeeper Wojciech Szczesny scrambling early on, while Myles Weston planted a header wide in a low key opening.

But the hosts were stung by the Bees when they fell behind after 17 minutes.

Mark Phillips was granted space on the left and tossed in a peach of a cross for MacDonald, who had escaped the Saddlers’ defence, to slam a half volley into the roof of the net.

The Saddlers were nervous and goalkeeper Clayton Ince almost gifted Ben Strevens a second after scuffing his clearance but recovered to gather the striker’s effort.

But the hosts grew in confidence and levelled after 35 minutes through Nicholls’ classy strike.

Byfield conjured space and squared for the 22-year-old, who coolly stroked into the corner from 15 yards.

Tommy Smith almost restored Brentford’s lead immediately but headed wide and Ince had to deny Sam Saunders in injury time, palming away the midfielder’s 20 yard free kick.

Manny Smith replaced Darryl Westlake at half-time and the Saddlers created the first chance after the break ,when Byfield nodded Matt Richards’ cross wide.

But they were hit by the loss of Mattis when the midfielder came off worse in a challenge with Kevin O’Connor and was stretchered off after 51 minutes.

Nicholls flashed an angled effort across goal before Byfield broke through 11 minutes from time, only to be denied by Phillips’ stunning tackle.

But the Saddlers completed their comeback seven minutes from time, when Nicholls delivered an excellent cross for a diving Deeney to head in from close range.