George Bennett analysis: Walsall strengthen their lead at the summit to keep the good times rolling

Walsall extended their advantage at the top of the table to six points courtesy of a third away win on the spin after second-place Port Vale were held to another goalless stalemate at home to Carlisle United. 

They were guaranteed top spot at Christmas regardless of the result but this team continues to overcome obstacles and their latest 2-0 win in North Yorkshire served as yet another example.

The belief continues to grow and it was another occasion to savour for the 586 supporters who braved the wind and the rain to watch Walsall win again. 

It was clear from the outset that the conditions would dictate the nature of the contest. Every long ball floated uncontrollably in the air and the first half was deprived of many moments of quality. 

The Saddlers took time to adjust but they played some nice football on the rare occasions they were able to get the ball down during the opening half-hour. 

Taylor Allen used the wind to his advantage when he slung his corner into the danger area and forced a smart save from Harrogate goalkeeper James Belshaw. 

And the turning point came with 34 minutes on the clock when Nathan Lowe added to his growing collection of stunning strikes. The Stoke City loanee is not just a great scorer but also a scorer of great goals, and perhaps more importantly, of different goals. 

His range as a striker is truly remarkable, especially for one so young. He moved into double figures in the league and extended his season tally to 13 as his low drive from distance set the wheels in motion for another dominant display. 

Tommy Simkin, who initially struggled to tailor his kicks to the conditions, launched a high ball deep into the Harrogate half. They could only clear as far as Lowe and the teenager elegantly spun away from his marker and picked out the bottom corner with aplomb. 

Harrogate suffered a second blow in quick succession when Josh March was given his early marching orders four minutes later. The Sulphurites striker was shown a second yellow card for an elbow on Allen as Walsall moved firmly into the driving seat. 

The rain poured relentlessly through the break but Walsall were unfazed as they flew out of the traps after the restart to capitalise on their numerical advantage. 

Connor Barrett ventured forward more frequently and linked play effectively down the right. Jamie Jellis exploded into life with a lively display and Charlie Lakin looked to add goals to his rich vein of form with a number of elusive late runs into the box. 

He almost got on the score sheet when Barrett threaded a beautiful pass in behind but Belshaw produced another impressive stop to keep out his close-range finish from Albert Adomah's cutback. 

Walsall kept knocking with Lowe planting an acrobatic volley wide of the near post but the second goal arrived when Adomah marked his first league start in style with 21 minutes remaining. 

The 37-year-old was given the nod over Danny Johnson in the wake of Jamille Matt's suspension and proved that age is just a number with another energetic performance. 

He led from the front in exemplary fashion and reaped the reward when he cushioned Lakin's low cross into his path and placed a neat finish into the bottom corner.

12 of Walsall's 16 goals on their travels have come in the second half this term including seven of their last eight on the road, while 68 per cent of their season tally of 37 have been scored after the break in League Two.

Allen wore the armband in Matt's absence and was a key figure at both ends of the pitch. The 24-year-old has grown into a real leader over the course of a breakthrough year in 2024 and almost scored for the third time in four games when his free-kick was expertly tipped over by Belshaw. 

Liam Gordon embarked on a mesmerising run into the box to force Belshaw into action again late on and Simkin earned his ninth clean sheet of the campaign with a stunning save to deny Matty Daly at the death. 

Daly's late chance was the only time Harrogate managed to breach a Walsall back-line which was as solid as ever across the 90 minutes.

Walsall have kept four consecutive away clean sheets in the league for the first time since 1993 and Simkin moved level with AFC Wimbledon's Owen Goodman in the race for the golden glove. 

The victory also extended Walsall's unbeaten run to 11 games in League Two including their last seven away from home. It's been over three months since the Saddlers last tasted defeat on the road which came in a 1-0 loss at MK Dons on September 7.

They're just three points shy of the tally they amassed on their travels last term (23) and have equalled the amount of away wins (six) from Sadler's debut campaign.