Walsall promotion hopes hit as Barnsley continue form run
Walsall's promotion hopes suffered another hammer blow when they were beaten by a 3-1 comeback at the Banks's Stadium by League One's form team Barnsley who are now serious candidates to go up as three on loan players scored their goals.
It was the sixth successive home game the Saddlers failed to win, while the Tykes have now won 11 of their last 13 matches in a surge up the table, and Walsall had to play the last 15 minutes with 10 men when third substitute Jordan Cook limped off injured two minutes after joining the action.
Walsall made a lively start and - when Romaine Sawyers was fouled just outside the box in the 14th minute - Anthony Forde struck the left-hand post with a free-kick that had Tykes' keeper Adam Davies well beaten.
But it was Barnsley who went ahead four minutes later, Harry Chapman finding Manchester United loanee Ash Fletcher who shrugged off a challenge from Paul Downing before drilling a shot low inside the far post to record his fourth goal of the season.
Walsall were level in the 29th minute, though, Tom Bradshaw firing home his 16th of the campaign after Davies could only push away a fierce drive from Andy Taylor.
After 35 minutes referee Chris Sarginson limped off injured and was replaced by assistant James Wilson.
Barnsley regained the lead five minutes after the break when Preston loanee Josh Brownhill scored from outside the box with a dipping drive and Harry Chapman - on loan from Middlesbrough - netted the third with a low drive in a 56th-minute counter-attack.
Source: PA
