A late winner led Walsall to their best finish in six years after coming from behind against Milton Keynes Dons.

Manny Smith turned in Steve Jones’ cross five minutes from time as the Saddlers finished 10th in League One – two points ahead of their visitors.

Matt Richards’ stunner levelled a minute into the second-half after Darren Powell fired the visitors in front against the run of play.

Mark Hughes had a goal ruled out after Richards’ free kick hit the underside of the bar, as the home side spurned a number of first half chances but Smith’s winner capped an entertaining season finale.

Before the game the retiring Clayton Ince received an award from boss Chris Hutchings for his four years – and 169 appearances – of service to the club.

Ince had to settle for a place on the bench as Hutchings made two changes, with Hughes replacing Clayton McDonald and Darryl Westlake coming in for the departed Rhys Weston.

Both teams opened well but the Saddlers were denied by the officials after nine minutes.

Richards’ free kick shuddered the bar and Hughes turned in the rebound, but it was disallowed for a foul on goalkeeper Stuart Searle.

Mark Randall whistled one wide as the Dons responded, but Searle had to punch away Troy Deeney’s bullet header as the game opened up.

Darren Byfield didn’t connect well enough with Julian Gray’s centre to trouble Searle and Deeney blazed over, as the home side refused to end the season with a whimper.

But the Dons took an unexpected lead in controversial style on 26 minutes when Jermaine Easter raced through on goal and, after goalkeeper Rene Gilmartin saved his effort, Powell followed up.

It was a body blow to the Saddlers who had started well and Powell almost bagged a second but lifted over with just Gilmartin to beat.

Byfield was off target twice as the hosts continued to look bright going forward, but went into the break behind.

The Saddlers didn’t have to wait long for an equaliser though, as Richards buried a beautiful curling shot into the bottom corner from 20 yards just 70 seconds after the restart.

But,after the frantic pace of the first-half, the second period slowed and was punctuated by petty fouls, as the teams shadow boxed around each other.

Searle denied Byfield after neat build involving Richards and Gray while Taundry forced the stopper into a low save 10 minutes from time.

Jones’ header was turned over by Searle as the home side pressed and, when the resulting corner was worked back to Jones, the winger swung in an excellent centre for Smith win it.