Walsall vs Barrow - match preview: Saddlers eager to strengthen grip at the summit

Walsall are enjoying their longest run without defeat in the league since 2013 (15 games under Dean Smith) and propelled themselves to the summit with back-to-back wins over fellow promotion hopefuls Notts County and Port Vale last week. 

The Saddlers boast a two-point lead at the top with a game in hand over second-place Vale and consolidated their league success by progressing to the EFL Trophy round of 16 on Tuesday. 

Danny Johnson's dramatic 97th-minute equaliser against Reading eventually forced penalties, as Walsall rescued themselves from the jaws of defeat, after registering 33 shots. 

Mat Sadler's men are the leading scorers in the division with a formidable total of 34 and have created the joint-most chances (44). They've also missed the second most big chances in the fourth-tier but Sadler feels that is an indictment of Walsall's productivity in the final third. 

Boss Sadler said: "I love the fact when strikers score and when strikers miss because it means we're getting chances. 

"When we get chances and miss them, it's no problem, it's about what the next thing is. I said that to the guys at half-time (against Reading) and I made the joke to Danny (Johnson) about how much he loves scoring at the end to give him that little bit of confidence and maybe flash back some memories from scoring goals in front of that stand. 

"In the end he ultimately did because I know the job of a striker at times. You maybe feel the pressure of scoring those goals but in this team, in our team, the lads feel the pressure of starting all of our out of possession stuff. 

"They start our press, they start the way that we play. They're so important in that vein and then when it comes to the end bit, I haven't met a striker yet who means to not score. 

"So we just keep trying to get chances for them and hope that we put them away." 

Johnson's late leveller was Walsall's sixth goal in stoppage time and 13th in the final 15 minutes across all competitions this season. 

No side in the division has scored more goals in the second half than Walsall who've scored 23 of their 34 league goals after the break in League Two.

And Sadler insists Walsall's record in the second half of games is another illustration of the fitness levels across his squad.

"We've also wanted to recruit a team of athletes. We want a team that can run," he acknowledged.

"I know that sounds really obvious but it isn't always the case. I believe in a team of athletes and I want that throughout the team." 

Midfielder Jamie Jellis (calf) trained at Essington on Thursday and will be in contention for the weekend, although Montserrat international Brandon Comley (cheekbone) remains out. 

Priestley Farquharson (thigh) and Josh Gordon (hamstring) are also still unavailable.