Walsall snatch last-gasp winner as Cobblers drop out of play-offs after throwing away two-goal lead

It's Town's fourth straight defeat and will be by far the hardest to digest given they totally controlled the first-half and seemed well on course for three much-needed points when leading by two goals at the break.

But Walsall struck early in the second-half and that wobbled the visitors as they missed several chances to kill the contest before Danny Guthrie equalised and then Rory Holden won it deep into injury-time.

The conditions were hardly conducive to free-flowing football as Storm Dennis battered the Bescot Stadium, bringing with it gale-force winds and persistent rain.

But it was the same for both teams and Cobblers adapted to the conditions far better in the opening 45 minutes, profiting from a more patient approach with Callum Morton scoring twice.

It all fell apart in the second-half, however, and Town now face a real battle on their hands to climb back into the play-offs after three successive league defeats.

Paul Anderson, Ryan Watson and Morton were all recalled to the starting line-up by Keith Curle at the expense of Chris Lines, Mark Marshall and Vadaine Oliver.

Both teams took a bit of time to get to grips with the conditions but Town certainly made the stronger start and they had the game's first half chance when Anderson released Morton and he shot over.

Morton's movement was causing problems for the Walsall defence and he spooned over another snapshot a few minutes later before Cobblers then lost Andy Williams to a hamstring injury, replaced by Matty Warburton.

But they continued to make more of the running, aided by the wind, and it was third time lucky for Morton when, midway through the half, he started and finished a nice move, stabbing home Nicky Adams' low cross.

That ended Town's mini goal drought and they were good value for their lead based on the opening 22 minutes, though Josh Gordon was close to a prompt response when blazing over the angle of post and bar two minutes later.

The rest of the first-half succumbed to the conditions bar one moment of quality real quality as Cobblers doubled their lead. Morton was the scorer again with an excellent first-time finish but so much of the credit belonged to Anderson who whipped in a fabulous cross.

That came six minutes shy of the interval and Town were deservedly in control at half-time but the second period was always likelier to be a tougher proposition with the visitors shooting into the wind.

Walsall almost scored straight from kick-off when Elijah Adebayo pounced on a scuffed kick by Cornell but Town's goalkeeper redeemed himself with a brave block at the feet of Gordon.

The hosts, now pushed on by the stiff breeze, were playing with far more purpose and they were back in the game 11 minutes into the second-half as Gordon glanced home Shay Facey's right-wing cross.

Morton was inches from a hat-trick when Scott Wharton's cutback was just in front his outstretched leg and that wouldn't be the first time the young loanee came so close to a third goal.

As Walsall delivered several dangerous balls into the box, Cobblers remained a threat at the other end and Adams' cross just eluded Morton, who was then denied by a terrific low save from Liam Roberts.

Those misses would come back to haunt the Cobblers with 13 minutes to play when Walsall levelled. Lloyd Jones conceded a cheap foul on the left side and Guthrie's resulting free-kick avoided the mass of bodies in the box and nestled into the far corner of the net.

Walsall didn't stop there and twice came close to immediately going in front through Adebayo and Wes McDonald, who also blazed over in the closing stages.

Town's attacks were far less threatening but they were at least looking good for a point, that was until deep into stoppage-time when they lost possession near halfway, Walsall broke away and Holden was on hand to shoot past Cornell via a deflection, leaving the visitors crestfallen.

Walsall: Roberts, Pring, Sadler (c), Facey, Jules (McDonald 56), Sheron (Guthrie 56), Scarr, Sinclair (Holden 65), Kinsella, Gordon, Adebayo

Subs not used: Rose, Norman, Lavery, Nolan

Cobblers: Cornell, Jones, Goode (c), Wharton, Turnbull, Watson, Anderson (Harriman 61), Hoskins, Adams, Williams (Warburton 17), Morton (Oliver 74)

Subs not used: Arnold, Lines, Pollock, Marshall

Referee: Ben Toner

Attendance: 4,451

Cobblers fans: 867