Analysis: Walsall becoming comeback kings in race for play-offs

AFC Wimbledon beat Salford City 1-0 to remain above Walsall on goal difference, while Crawley thrashed Mansfield Town 4-1 to maintain the three-point cushion between themselves and the trailing pack.

Away form has threatened to undermine the Saddlers’ play-off push, but Mat Sadler’s men overturned an early deficit to end a run of three matches without a win on the road.

Walsall have come from behind in five of their six away victories this term. Only Crawley Town (22) and Crewe Alexandra (21) have amassed more points from losing positions in League Two than Walsall (21), while the Saddlers have registered the joint-most wins in games where they’ve fallen behind (six).

Walsall made a fairly bright start and there were chances at both ends as Regan Hendry and Isaac Hutchinson both passed up golden opportunities.

Walsall had particular trouble dealing with Tranmere’s threat down the right channel with Rob Apter posing problems throughout the first period.

Hendry stroked an unerring finish into the far bottom corner to give Tranmere a 24th-minute lead, as the hosts laid siege on Walsall’s goal with a series of chances.

Jackson Smith, who was superb once again between the sticks, produced the first of two fine saves to deny Rob Apter, before Reece McAlear crashed a free-kick against the crossbar.

Walsall refused to buckle and used a pause in proceedings while Smith received treatment to regroup.

They finished the first half strongly and reaped the reward in the second of five minutes of added time when Jamille Matt cushioned Joe Foulkes’ perfectly floated cross into the far bottom corner.

Matt overcame a “neural issue” to feature from the start and proved once again why he is going to be key for Walsall during the League Two run-in.

The 34-year-old, who has three EFL promotions on his CV, scored in successive games, and was replaced just past the hour as Sadler continues to manage his minutes carefully.

The timing of the goal, as Sadler noted in his post-match interview, was also crucial in providing Walsall with a platform to build from in the second half.

And they picked up from where they left off with a stellar performance after the break.

Brandon Comley was alert to any sign of danger as he ran the midfield and Tranmere struggled to contain the stream of Saddlers attacks.

Taylor Allen capped another top display with his third goal of the campaign. The Cannock-born utility man has been one of the stories of the season.

Allen went four months without a league start between October and February, but made his 11th consecutive start in League Two at Prenton Park – his longest run in the starting line-up since arriving in the summer of 2022. His catapulted free-kick from midway inside Tranmere’s half evaded everyone, including Josh Gordon’s attempted flicked header, and nestled nicely into the far corner.

The volume from the 700-plus away fans, which was strong throughout, cranked up an extra notch as Walsall seized the momentum.

Comley then got in on the act himself with a rocket from distance which exploded into the top corner, 22 minutes from time.

It was only his second Walsall goal, and his first since the opening day of last season.

He also became Walsall’s 23rd different goalscorer in League Two. That shows there are goals throughout this squad, which has perhaps been a major factor behind their continued improvement despite losing Freddie Draper back in January.

Tranmere hit the woodwork twice in the closing stages, with Smith making a sensational stop to divert Hendry’s curling strike on to the post.

But Walsall ended the afternoon with back-to-back wins ahead of another crucial road trip to Doncaster on Tuesday.

Another win will create the ultimate platform for the trio of home games in seven days against Notts County, Swindon Town and Bradford City respectively.

The 5-0 mauling at MK Dons could have been the point where everything crumbled, but this team’s biggest strength is they always get back up, which will hopefully serve them well as we enter the final five games.