Walsall debrief: 38 shots, still top, injuries and Jamie Jellis conundrum

But Aden Flint's unfortunate own goal proved decisive in the second minute of stoppage time, as Steve Cotterill continued his strong start on his return to Cheltenham.

Here are the main talking points from the Saddlers' latest setback in Gloucestershire.

38 shots 

The creation of chances has not been an issue, but converting them has of late. 

In total, Walsall have registered 38 shots, including 17 on target, over the course of the past 180 minutes in League Two (excluding additional time). 

That attacking threat has not been translated into goals though. Walsall have netted just once in the last two games, and failed to find the net at all at Cheltenham. 

Walsall might have had considerably less possession (33 per cent), but that has almost always been the case under Mat Sadler. 

They finished with an xG of 1.54 at Cheltenham and 1.96 against Barrow, but emerged pointless in both games. 

Still top 

Walsall suffered back-to-back defeats in the league for the first time this season, but still remain at the top of the table. 

The gap around the summit has tightened significantly though, with second-place Swindon Town only trailing Walsall on goal difference. 

In fact, the top seven are separated by just three points, and there is only a five-point buffer between Walsall and Cambridge United in 13th. 

That only underlines just how competitive League Two has and will continue to be this season, and also emphasizes the urgency for Walsall to rediscover their form. 

Injuries

Walsall have had far bigger injury lists during Sadler's reign, but they have been gradually beginning to rack up recently. 

Harrison Burke missed his third successive league game with a knee injury, and Vincent Harper also sat out as a result of the knock he picked up the previous weekend. 

Then, Lewis Warrington received a kick to the ankle inside the first 30 seconds, and succumbed to his injury on the half-hour mark. 

The Walsall midfielder emerged on crutches in the second half, but Sadler is hopeful that it prove to be serious. 

There is good news on Harper and Burke. Sadler confirmed afterwards that the former will be in contention for Chelsea under-21s in the EFL Trophy on Tuesday, while Burke will be fighting to be fit for the FA Cup tie at Eastleigh on Sunday. 

Jellis dilemma 

Jamie Jellis had a productive patch just after the break, but there are still grave concerns over his form. 

He struggled to have much of an impact in the first half. but did momentarily burst into life after the break. 

The midfielder pounced on a loose pass to drag an effort wide and had another chance smothered from a wide angle. 

But he was unable to maintain that same energy for the remainder of the half and was replaced with 20 minutes left.

There is no getting away just how tough these past few months have been for him, and I believe many of the Saddlers fans are sympathetic towards that, and are yearning for him to return to his best. 

We're yet to see that as of yet though and it's been over eight months since he last scored a league goal. 

That is now the conundrum for Sadler. Does he persist with Jellis and hope that that faith bears fruit, or is time to take him out of the firing line for the time being?

Winless run at Whaddon Road

It's clear that Whaddon Road is not a happy hunting ground for Walsall, and hasn't been for some time! 

In fact, Walsall have not won in that part of Gloucestershire since 2008 - a run stretching six games. 

Cotterill's unbeaten record against the Saddlers also remains intact, as the 61-year-old collected his sixth win over his West Midlands opponents.