Danny’s treble triumph

WALSALL opened their campaign in style with a 4-0 win over HARTLEPOOL — and Danny Johnson’s hat-trick came as a welcome surprise to manager Michael Flynn. Striker Johnson, 29, on loan from Mansfield, was far too hot for the club where he once played his youth football. And Flynn joked: ‘If you saw him in training, mind, he couldn’t hit a cow’s backside with a handful of rice. But that’s why I wanted him in — I know what a clinical finisher he is.’

Ryan Haynes scored an 89th-minute winner as

NORTHAMPTON beat COLCHESTER 3-2 at Sixfields. Two penalties were awarded and visiting boss Wayne Brown was far from impressed by the performance of referee Martin Woods. ‘That was by far one of the worst refereeing performances that I have witnessed,’ he said. Two first-half goals helped CREWE ALEXANDRA bounce back from relegation last spring to overcome ROCHDALE 2-1. Boss Alex Morris said: ‘That was for everyone at the club, not least the supporters who were excellent.’