Walsall 0-2 Harrogate: Saddlers suffer another defeat in final home game

Walsall suffered a 2-0 defeat against Harrogate Town in their final home game of the season.

Shawn McCoulsky scored both goals for Harrogate either side of half-time - powering a thunderbolt into the top corner for the opener before supposedly escaping the offside trap to score the second.

Priestley Farquharson had hit the post inside the first six minutes for Walsall and Mark Oxley produced a string of saves in the first half.

But Walsall ultimately succumbed to a third defeat in four games - while Harrogate momentarily climbed out of the drop-zone until Newport leapfrogged them with a dramatic late win against Oldham Athletic.

Darren Byfield made just one enforced change from the Saddlers’ 3-1 victory at Barrow last weekend.

Alex Pattison returned after missing the past three games with a hamstring injury, although Brandon Comley dropped out due to a knee issue.

Charlie Lakin deputised at the base of midfield with Farquharson recovering from illness earlier in the week to retain his place in defence.

Walsall started on the front-foot and had a flurry of chances in quick succession after Lakin’s initial low shot was parried by Oxley.

The follow-up from Daniel Kanu was blocked and Farquharson drove the loose ball into the ground and off the post.

Harrogate settled into the game and Walsall were guilty of a number of sloppy passes, as they lost their way in the contest.

But the returning Pattison did impress and his industry from midfield was a standout feature in the first half.

He chased every ball and was almost rewarded for his bravery when a challenge he refused to pull out of transformed into a chance for Jid Okeke.

Jamie Jellis received between the lines and teed up Okeke who was foiled by a smart save from close quarters by Oxley.

Harrogate almost opened the scoring when Emmerson Sutton curled a stunning long-range shot on to the post. Roberts sprung to his feet and denied Cass on the rebound.

Pattison came close to sending Walsall in ahead at the break when his instinctive half-volley drew an excellent reactive save from Oxley.

Instead, Harrogate built through the thirds with ease to break Walsall open, as McCoulsky escaped Aden Flint to latch on to a slide-rule pass from Reece Smith.

The Harrogate striker took aim and powered a stunning shot beyond the reach of Roberts and into the top corner in the final minute of regulation time in the first half.

Walsall fell two goals behind when the linesman left his flag down after McCoulsky broke free. He was left with just Roberts to beat and calmly rolled his finish beyond the onrushing Walsall goalkeeper.

Byfield reached for his bench on the hour-mark with the introductions of Courtney Clarke and Aaron Pressley for Adomah and Okeke.

Kanu moved out to the right and Comley came on at the base of midfield with Pattison making way midway into the second half.

Aaron Loupalo-Bi and Connor Barrett were thrown into the action for the closing stages, but Walsall could only muster a blocked shot from Pressley.

Next, Walsall conclude the League Two season with a trip to Hayes Lane to face Bromley.

Teams

Walsall (4-3-3): Roberts; Browne, Farquharson (Barrett 77), Flint, Hancock; Pattison (Comley 67), Lakin, Jellis (Loupalo-Bi 77); Adomah (Pressley 59), Kanu, Okeke (Clarke 59).

Subs: Hornby, Burke.

Harrogate (4-2-3-1): Oxley; Cass (Headman 61), Faulkner, Heffernan, Slater; Morris, Evans; Hill (Thomson 66), Sutton (Brenan 66), Smith (Duke-McKenna 86); McCoulsky (Acquah 86).

Not used: Waller, Gibson.

Other details

Referee: Ben Speedie

Attendance: 6,181 (284)