Julian Gray’s freak goal set Walsall up for a victory over Hartlepool that kept their hopes of finishing 10th alive.

The winger’s fourth of the season put the Saddlers in control – after Neil Austin cleared the ball against his face – before Roy O’Donovan beat the offside trap to level on 27 minutes.

But Troy Deeney’s 14th of the season just a minute later handed the initiative back to the hosts, before Richard Taundry wrapped up the points in the second half.

With Milton Keynes Dons losing at Leeds and Brentford only drawing with Yeovil, Walsall can still finish 10th and claim their highest finish for six years.

As expected, Darren Byfield and Dwayne Mattis were sidelined with knee and Achilles injuries but Rhys Weston returned for Darryl Westlake as the youngster dropped out of the squad.

And the Saddlers took the lead with their first attack on seven minutes.

Good work from Deeney and Alex Nicholls sent Steve Jones clear on the right for the winger to cross for the arriving Gray at the far post.

The former Birmingham wide man saw his initial effort blocked, but Austin’s hacked clearance only succeeded in striking Gray in the face and the ball bounced into the net.

A minute later, Matt Richards should have doubled the lead but volleyed wide from Jones’ inch perfect cross.

Both sides played their part in an entertaining opening and some poor defending saw a sudden goal rush.

On 27 minutes Hartlepool equalised when O’Donovan caught the Saddlers cold, strode through their flimsy offside trap and coolly slotted in.

But the visitors were only level a matter of seconds when Deeney latched onto a long ball, out muscled Peter Hartley and swept the ball into the corner from 15 yards.

The Saddlers looked dangerous with every attack and just before the break Nicholls and Deeney combined, with the latter finding Gray, with only a sprawling save from goalkeeper Scott Flinders denying the winger adding to his tally.

Goalmouth action continued immediately after the break, as James Brown fired over after Gilmartin parried O’Donovan’s shot into his path.

Leon McSweeney headed over soon after as the visitors looked to capitalise on the hosts’ slow start to the second-half.

A lull ensued which was almost broken when Flinders claimed Taundry’s free kick, who did grab a third 14 minutes from time.

The midfielder started the move by feeding Gray who swapped passes with Deeney to allow Taundry to burst through and slot under the advancing Flinders.

Clayton McDonald cleared off the line from Monkhouse as the visitors pressed, but Richards almost added a late stunner when his 25-yard effort slammed off the underside of the bar.

Deeney then blazed over in injury time, as the Saddlers ran out worthy winners.