Walsall 3 Swindon Town 2

Last updated : 30 August 2004 By Footymad Previewer

Gary Birch's first goal of the season earned Walsall a dramatic win in a five-goal thriller against Swindon Town at Bescot.

Walsall had been trailing 2-0 after just 25 minutes but Birch capped a stunning fightback with the winner three minutes from time.

Jorge Leitao had earlier forced Walsall back on to level terms with his first goals of the season when he struck twice within the space of six minutes in the first-half.

In-form Swindon, who had beaten Hartlepool 3-0 at the County Ground in their previous match, looked to be cruising to another win after Brian Howard and Darius Henderson had fired them 2-0 ahead after just 25 minutes.

But they were undone by the heroics of Leitao and Birch as Walsall secured only their second league win of the season.

Swindon made the perfect start when Mark Yeates' corner was powerfully headed home by Howard after just five minutes.

In an open and free flowing game where the emphasis of both sides was on attack rather than defence, Walsall made a determined bid to force their way back on to level terms.

But Swindon goalkeeper Rhys Evans frustrated them as he saved from Leitao and player-manager Paul Merson.

The value of Evans' heroics became clear after 25 minutes when on-loan Gillingham striker Henderson doubled Swindon's advantage.

A long through ball out of defence picked out Henderson and he out muscled centre half Neil Emblen before sliding a low shot beyond goalkeeper Mark Paston.

The two-goal lead looked to be a decisive advantage for Swindon but they were hauled back by Leitao's quick-fire double.

Leitao handed Walsall a lifeline by heading home from four yards in the 28th minute after Evans had spilled a long range shot from Birch.

Walsall completed their comeback when Leitao finished off a neat three-man move.

Merson's back heel was collected by Joe Broad and his cross was then steered home from close range by Leitao.

Both sides went all out for a winner in the second-half and it needed a wonder save from Paston to turn away a header from Henderson in the 69th minute.

Sixty seconds later, Evans was beaten by a 25-yard free-kick from Darren Wrack but the shot crashed off the foot of the post.

Evans then saved a snap-shot from Darren Bazeley but he was powerless to prevent Birch heading home Leitao's cross from eight yards.