Stockport County started off quite lively and after just six minutes
hit the post with the ball coming back into play and just after this
Rene Gilmartin was called into action for the first time however
somewhat against the run of play Walsall took the lead.Zaaboub
swung over a corner that wasn't cleared properly and Anthony
Gerrard hit a shot on the angle that found the back of the net.
Five minutes later Saddlers should have doubled the lead but Troy
Deeney headed over.Just a minute later O'Grady should have done
better at the other end but the alert Gilmartin was on hand to save
his smartly hit shot.On 30 minutes Deeney thought he had scored
but the Stockport centreback cleared with the home keeper beaten.
Minutes later the home side should have scored themselves only
for Mainwaring to shoot into the side netting.So at half time Walsall
were 1-0 up but it could have been 3-3 in truth.
The first 15 minutes after the break were without anything of note but
the home fans on 61 minutes found their voices with a loud 'Handball!!'
when Jabo Ibehre stuck up a hand to a ball from Tansey and the ref
had no option but to award a spot kick.
Tommy Roe stepped up but smashed the ball a few yards over the
bar much to the delight of the Saddlers supporters.However on 76
minutes did pull a goal back.From a free kick just outside the area
Tansey curled a beauty that Rene had no chance with.Just when
both sides seemed happy to play out time and settle for a point each
Saddlers claimed the winner in bizzare fashion in the 93rd minute!
It was a calamitous own goal by home keeper Conrad Logan who
punched the ball into his own net and knocked the luckless Roe flying
in the process! Mark Bradley was in the thick of the action too and his
being put the keeper off his stroke.The game was held up as Roe received
treatment and in the remaining time Stockport forced a corner but just
after the ref blew up to the delight of the players and fans alike.
A nice way to end a game in the sunshine.