Walsall sealed promotion today with that little bit of good fortune seemingly necessary for teams to succeed.
Their biggest slice of luck came as early as the 10th minute when Notts, looking for their fifth win in a row, were only denied by the woodwork. James Walker, on loan from Charlton Athletic, hit the ball against the outside of the goalkeeper Clayton Ince's left-hand post.
Notts, enjoying a lot of possession, were unable to break through a stout-hearted defence and found themselves in arrears after 17 minutes when Kevin Harper's volley was deflected out of the reach of Nott's keeper Kevin Pilkington. It was the first goal Notts had conceded in five matches.
Notts battled back to find an equaliser four minutes before half-time. Brilliant work by Gary Silk saw him pull the ball back from the goal-line and Lawrie Dudfield crashed it into the roof of the net.
The pace had always been fast and furious but the game grew in intensity in the second-half, with Notts recognising the possibility of a play-off place probably depended on the outcome.
Danny Fox saved Walsall with a goal-line clearance to deny Dudfield and Notts a second goal, and then the home players and fans were furious when nothing was given after Andy Parkinson was blatantly hauled down on the edge of the box.
To the joy of hordes of travelling Walsall fans the visitors settled it with a winner six minutes from time.
Trevor Benjamin spotted a gap and, picking his spot carefully, drilled a low shot past Pilkington from 10 yards sparking the start of wild celebrations.
Their biggest slice of luck came as early as the 10th minute when Notts, looking for their fifth win in a row, were only denied by the woodwork. James Walker, on loan from Charlton Athletic, hit the ball against the outside of the goalkeeper Clayton Ince's left-hand post.
Notts, enjoying a lot of possession, were unable to break through a stout-hearted defence and found themselves in arrears after 17 minutes when Kevin Harper's volley was deflected out of the reach of Nott's keeper Kevin Pilkington. It was the first goal Notts had conceded in five matches.
Notts battled back to find an equaliser four minutes before half-time. Brilliant work by Gary Silk saw him pull the ball back from the goal-line and Lawrie Dudfield crashed it into the roof of the net.
The pace had always been fast and furious but the game grew in intensity in the second-half, with Notts recognising the possibility of a play-off place probably depended on the outcome.
Danny Fox saved Walsall with a goal-line clearance to deny Dudfield and Notts a second goal, and then the home players and fans were furious when nothing was given after Andy Parkinson was blatantly hauled down on the edge of the box.
To the joy of hordes of travelling Walsall fans the visitors settled it with a winner six minutes from time.
Trevor Benjamin spotted a gap and, picking his spot carefully, drilled a low shot past Pilkington from 10 yards sparking the start of wild celebrations.
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