Analysis: Jekyll and Hyde performance but Walsall can take heart from Chesterfield fight back
Walsall delivered a real Jekyll and Hyde performance at Chesterfield but the second half offered a glimmer of hope after a bleak week.
Mat Sadler had overseen back-to-back goalless draws against Accrington Stanley and Crawley Town and two abject displays in the past seven days.
And those difficulties deepened when Walsall threatened to fall apart inside the first 30 minutes in Derbyshire.
Chesterfield looked dangerous on the front-foot and particularly threatened in the wide areas.
Connor Barrett afforded Tom Pearce far too much space to fizz a low cross into the near post where former Walsall striker Will Grigg had escaped the clutches of his marker.
Myles Roberts thwarted Grigg's initial effort but the Northern Irishman pounced on the rebound to stab home from a matter of yards.
Things went from bad to worse when Evan Weir was caught dawdling on the ball. Dilan Markanday punished him: stealing the ball before tucking his finish beyond the onrushing Roberts.
Walsall looked shell shocked, and were guilty of making mistake after mistake, as frustration seeped in. It was difficult to see how they could recover from a dire first 30 to 40 minutes; but they did.
Barrett raced down the right and clipped an inviting cross for Daniel Kanu to power his header into the roof of the net just before half-time.
That extended his season tally to 15 goals in all competitions - including 12 in League Two.
His goals continue to prove crucial and the timing of the goal was essential to providing Walsall with a platform in the second half.
