Walsall returned back to good form with a fine 3-1 home win against Oldham Athletic who the previous weekend had defeated Premiership Liverpool in the FA Cup. Such was Oldham's poor league form that The Latics parted company with their manager Paul Dickov after this match. Walsall meanwhile welcomed former playing icon David Kelly back to the club as assistant manager to Dean Smith.
Oldham had two early penalties turned down. One seemed a reasonable shout, the other one not a prayer. However the visitors did take the lead on 19 minutes. Barnard scored with a powerful header which flew into the back of the net. It was, however, merely a question of how long Walsall would get back in the game, such was their drive and purpose and in the 40th minute James Baxendale slipped a ball under the keeper to enable Saddlers to draw level.
Walsall kept pressing in the second half and on 74 minutes rightfully took the lead with a low hard drive from Jamie Paterson. Then in the period of time added on the 21 year-old in form wide man scored an even better goal to send the improved attendance of Walsall fans home happy. It was a good performance and comeback with Saddlers 9th in the table.
