WALSALL’S 17 year winless run against Accrington Stanley came to an end following a 2-1 win at the Bescot Stadium.
The Saddlers last league victory versus Stanley was a 3-2 win in March 2007.
Despite the two teams having an 11 year absence from each other, Accrington remained unbeaten in the last three league meetings.
By doing so, winning all of those matches by a one goal deficit each time.
Former Saddler Jack Nolan came back to haunt his former club by opening the scoring from the penalty spot.
The winger himself won the penalty for his side after he headed the ball onto the arm of Liam Gordon.
That goal brought Nolan’s goal tally up to 12 for the season.
Four minutes after, defender David Okagbue levelled the playing field with a thumping header on the hour mark from a corner.
Then in the closing stages, Norwich loanee Emmanuel Adegboyega nipped in at the back post to put the Saddlers into the lead.
It was a slow start to the game and took a while for anything to unfold.
In the first half, winger Korede Adedoyin came close for Stanley in the 24th minute shooting inches past the post.
Moments later Walsall thought they should’ve taken the lead after Jamille Matt saw his shot blocked on the goalline.
The veteran striker was adamant the ball had crossed the line but was waved away by the linesman.
Towards the interval, Okagbue headed marginally over the crossbar from a Taylor Allen free kick on the side-line.
Midfielder Jack Earing came close with a curling shot fired past the post midway through the second half.
At the end of additional time in the second half, Isaac Hutchinson was close to adding a third, but saw his shot blocked at the deaf.
This result takes Walsall up to seventh in Sky Bet League Two and into the play-off places.
As well as winning their fourth game on the trot, making them the most in-form team in the league.
Meanwhile, Stanley move down the 15th place and remain two points off today’s opponents.
