Walsall 1-2 Notts County: Saddlers blow lead to suffer fourth successive home defeat
Walsall blew a one-goal lead as they were condemned to a fourth successive home defeat by Notts County at Bescot.
Aden Flint had a goal ruled out for offside just past the half-hour mark, but Walsall took a deserved lead when Aaron Pressley finished off a deadly counter-attack in first half stoppage time.
The Saddlers dominated for large periods but were pegged back when Oliver Norburn unleashed a stunning half-volley into the top corner in the 79th-minute.
And Jodi Jones headed in the match-winner to complete the turnaround for the Magpies in the fourth minute of second half stoppage time.
That extended their winless run to seven games on home soil, as they suffered four straight defeats at Bescot for the first time in over five years.
Sadler made two changes from the Saddlers' 1-0 home defeat against Fleetwood Town on Tuesday. Myles Roberts returned from suspension and Harrison Burke replaced Priestley Farquharson who was not included in the squad.
Notts County started on the front-foot and forced the returning Roberts into an early save when he sprung to his left to claw away Jodi Jones' curling free-kick.
Walsall grew into the game from that point and were the side applying the most pressure for the next 20 minutes albeit with limited goalmouth action.
Charlie Lakin was at the heart of everything going forward and blazed over with his second bite of the cherry after fluffing his lines with the initial effort.
Evan Weir whipped a menacing free-kick towards the back post but Aden Flint was unable to stretch out his leg long enough to meet it.
Walsall had a goal ruled out for offside when Flint towered above his marker to head Weir's floated free-kick into the far corner, but his celebrations were dashed by the flag.
The breakthrough did arrive on the cusp of half-time when Kanu made a brilliant run to spring a counter-attack and slide Pressley through on goal.
Belshaw emerged off his line but Pressley kept his composure to finish with aplomb and provide Walsall with a half-time lead.
Jid Okeke embarked on a mesmerising solo run early in the second half but his eventual shot was blocked in front of goal by Lewis Macari.
The Saddlers continued to apply the pressure and had another opportunity when Kanu raced away down the left and dragged his effort into the side netting.
Okeke once again tore down the right with another blistering run and fed Kanu who slashed his finish across the face of goal.
The visitors did carry more of a threat following their triple change, but Roberts bravely dived at the feet of substitute Harald Tangen, after Jones' cross had deflected into his path.
County got back on level terms with just over 10 minutes to go when Norburn cracked a thunderous half-volley beyond the reach of Roberts.
Pressley could only partially clear Jones' corner and Norburn cushioned it down on his shoulder to fire into the top corner.
The pendulum swung in the direction of the Magpies in the aftermath of their equaliser and Roberts was called upon twice to repel Matty Platt and Tom Iorpenda.
County completed the comeback deep into stoppage time when Jones escaped to marker to convert a close-range header from Maziar Kouhyar's cross.
Next, Walsall travel to the Peninsula Stadium to face Salford City on Tuesday, before visiting Crewe Alexandra on Saturday next week.
Teams
Walsall (3-1-4-2): Roberts; Burke, Flint, Weir; Comley (Clarke 78); Okeke, Jellis (Pattison 88), Lakin, Harper; Pressley (Matt 88), Kanu (Adomah 78).
Not used: Hornby, Lopata, Hancock.
Notts County (3-4-2-1): Belshaw; Macari (McDonald 58), Platt, Bedeau; Tsaroulla (Kouhyar 72), Iorpenda, Norburn, Jones; Hall (Tangen 58), Grant (Bennetts 58); Dennis.
Not used: Griffiths, Ness, Enoru.
Other Details
Referee: Scott Jackson
Attendance: 7,316 (1,903)
