George Bennett's analysis: Walsall's history makers overcome Nathan Lowe blow to put on a show

The runaway League Two leaders have continued to overcome obstacles time and time again and the 4-2 crushing of MK Dons on Saturday was another prime example. 

In the wake of losing their leading scorer, Walsall needed to dig up any seeds of doubt before they could even be given the slightest opportunity to grow. 

They've beaten fellow promotion rivals AFC Wimbledon, Port Vale, Doncaster Rovers and Notts County (twice) in recent weeks to rubber stamp their League Two title credentials. 

But the visit of MK Dons felt like another crucial juncture in their campaign for very different reasons. Lowe's recall by Stoke City last week has left them with a huge void to fill but Walsall responded in scintillating style by scoring four goals, with three defenders contributing to the scoring.

Fans could be forgiven for thinking that their club record eight-match winning streak could be set to come to an end when Scott Hogan crashed his finish past Tommy Simkin after 14 minutes. 

In truth, Walsall had made the better start although Hogan was afforded far too much space to streak away from the Saddlers defence and leave Walsall chasing a deficit for only the fourth time on home soil in League Two this term.

MK Dons enjoyed a sustained spell of possession in the aftermath of their opener but Walsall restricted them to scraps as they recovered from the shock of falling behind and sought about mounting a comeback. 

That was only the eighth time Walsall have conceded in the first half in the league this term. They had also not been trailing at the break on home soil in League Two at any stage this season and Walsall continued that positive trend by hauling themselves level.

David Okagbue restored parity just past the half-hour mark when he scrambled his finish over the line after MK Dons goalkeeper Tom McGill had inexplicably spilled Taylor Allen's corner inside his own six-yard box. 

Jamille Matt and Albert Adomah, boasting a combined age of 72, worked relentlessly in the press, while the midfield trio of Ryan Stirk, Oisin McEntee and Jamie Jellis neutralised the threat of MK's diminutive midfield creators such as Liam Kelly and Dan Crowley. 

No side has scored more second half goals than Walsall in the division (37) and they took just 25 seconds to storm into the lead after the restart. 

Walsall built patiently down the right to find Connor Barrett marauding forward with intent as he has done so many times since his summer arrival from National League side AFC Fylde. 

He clipped a cross to the near post where Albert Adomah's flick on ricocheted into the path of Liam Gordon who ruthlessly planted an unerring finish into the bottom corner with his weaker right foot. 

That set the wheels in motion for a dominant second half display and Walsall were relentless in their quest to kill off their opponents. 

Jellis had to be denied by a combination of McGill and Luke Offord on the line before Adomah sent a sweetly struck volley whistling over the crossbar. 

It was very much one-way traffic and Walsall were rewarded for their persistence when Harry Williams joined his fellow defensive pair on the score sheet. 

Williams started the move with a hurtling long throw into the danger area which caused panic stations in the Dons defence. Stirk eventually worked the ball back into the path of Williams, who had made a smart run into the box, and the centre-back demonstrated the composure of a centre-forward to tuck a tidy finish into the far bottom corner. 

Adomah guaranteed maximum points with nine minutes remaining when another mistake from McGill was ruthlessly punished by the Saddlers. 

Josh Gordon, who made his Bescot comeback from the bench, pressed McGill into sacrificing possession on the edge of his own box. 

Jellis pounced and was fouled but Adomah played to the whistle and applied a deft chip over McGill to score Walsall's ninth goal in their last two league games.

MK Dons reduced the arrears late on when substitute Kane Thompson-Sommers picked out the top corner with an excellent strike from distance. 

But Walsall secured an 18th league win of the season to match their tally from last term. In fact, Walsall's current points total of 58 is more than they have managed in three of the past four seasons, and just seven fewer than they registered in Sadler's debut campaign.

Walsall continued to tick along nicely at the top and wrote fresh history with a ninth consecutive league win. They've also gone three-and-a-half-months without tasting defeat in League Two - a run stretching 16 games. 

It's prime time to be a Saddlers fans and whatever hurdle is placed in Walsall's wake, Mat Sadler's table topping charges always seem to find a way.