Walsall 0-1 Accrington Stanley: Saddlers' squander golden chance in another defeat

Ben Woods scored a stunning volley to preserve Accrington's League Two status in the 33rd-minute. 

Taylor Allen and Albert Adomah had hit the post for Walsall in the first 15 minutes but Tommy Simkin produced a finger tip stop to deny Conor Grant after the break. 

Substitute Connor Barrett compounded the Saddlers' misery when he was shown a straight red card for a high challenge on Liam Coyle.

League leaders Doncaster Rovers secured promotion with a 2-1 win over Bradford City and will be joined by Port Vale after they beat AFC Wimbledon 2-0 in the early kick-off. 

That meant Walsall could've leapfrogged Bradford and move two points clear in third spot with maximum points, but instead they extended their winless run to 13 games.

Walsall came close to an opener inside the opening 10 minutes when Taylor Allen's bending corner looped over Accrington goalkeeper Michael Kelly and kissed the inside of the far post.

They hit the post for the second time in quick succession when Albert Adomah steered his effort onto the left-hand upright, after Jamille Matt had shielded Alfie Chang's delivery into his path.

It was very much one-way traffic for the Saddlers during the opening half-hour. Alfie Chang showcased his quality with a series of challenges and silky touches and George Hall was a livewire in the No 10 role. 

Hall continued to be a menace for the visitors as he showed quick feet to skip past his man down the inside-right channel. He eventually teed up McEntee with a backheeled pass but the Irishman slotted his finish wide of the near post.

Despite their dominant start, Accrington took the lead against the run of play courtesy of a moment of magic by Ben Woods. Walsall could only partially clear his long throw from the left and the ball eventually found its way back to him where he looped a sensational volley into the far top corner.

They were immediately on the front-foot after falling behind and Chang came close to a leveller when his venomous strike from distance deflected just over the crossbar.

Birmingham loanee Chang had an even better chance to equalise moments later. Williams' long throw was completely missed by Kelly and the ball dropped for the Walsall midfielder who failed to keep his effort down.

Hall had a great chance chance on the cusp of half-time when he directed his downward header wide of the near post after an excellent delivery from McEntee. 

Accrington almost doubled their advantage just past the hour-mark when Devon Matthews unleashed a fierce volley wide of Simkin's left-hand post. 

Jamie Jellis and Levi Amantchi were introduced into the drama midway into the second half and the latter was immediately presented with a half-chance when he directed his header straight at Kelly.

Sadler introduced triple reinforcement for the final stretch with Barrett, Ryan Stirk and Ellis Harrison entering the action. 

It took a stunning finger tip stop from Simkin to prevent Accrington from stretching their lead, after Conor Grant had curled a dangerous effort towards the far top corner.

Things went from bad to worse when Barrett was dismissed within just minutes of coming on. The Walsall wing-back overstretched for the ball and caught Coyle with a high challenge as he was immediately shown a straight red.

Next, Walsall travel to local rivals Crewe Alexandra at Gresty Road for the final game of the season.

Teams

Walsall (3-4-1-2): Simkin; Okagbue, Williams, Allen; Asiimwe, Chang, McEntee, L Gordon; Hall (Jellis 65); Matt (Amantchi 65), Adomah.

Unused: Hornby, Daniels.

Accrington (3-4-1-2): Kelly; Aljofree, Matthews, Ward (Quirk 62); Love, Coyle, Grant, B Woods; Whalley; Walton, J Woods.

Unused: Isherwood, O’Brien-Whitmarsh, Henderson, Caton, Mooney, Batty.

Referee: Alex Chilowicz 

Attendance: 8,131