GEORGE SINKS THE COBBLERS
GEORGE Dobson swept home a dramatic stoppage-time winner to all but send Northampton down – and all but seal Walsall’s League One status.
Dobson struck a minute into stoppage time to leave Northampton needing a miracle to stay up – they must beat fellow strugglers Oldham by nine goals next Saturday to have a chance.
Caretaker boss Dean Austin admitted they are down – but rued the bad luck that saw them hit the woodwork three times against the Saddlers.
Austin said: “It probably just sums this season up really. It just hasn’t run for us.
“But it’s not just about today – let’s get things in perspective, this is about nine months.
“We gave ourselves a chance with our recent form and we had enough chances to win the game. For 75 minutes we were far, far, far the better team.
“It’s a very, very disappointing day for everybody. But I cannot fault the attitude, application and desire that we’ve shown in the last few weeks.”
Austin’s sombre mood was in contrast to the jubilation of Walsall boss Dean Keates, whose side now need just one point from their final two games to secure safety.
Keates beamed: “It’s euphoria, relief, everything. Since I’ve been here the lads have given everything.
“It was just about getting a result and we got that. We worked hard and earned the bits of luck we got.
“The emotions are sky high and we’ve got to bring them back down to earth because we’ve got a massive game at Bradford on Tuesday, our game in hand.
“Come 10pm on Tuesday, we can be a guaranteed League One football club. That’s what we want.”
In a tense first half, Northampton had the best chances.
Two minutes in, Matt Grimes threaded Daniel Powell into the area but his low strike was superbly tipped onto the post by Walsall keeper Liam Roberts.
Walsall had another let-off on 23 minutes as Matt Crooks left several defenders in his wake before firing in a crossshot that Saddlers’ Kory Roberts cleared off the line.
Crooks went close early in the second half, steering a volley over from eight yards.
Walsall finally threatened as Erhun Oztumer volleyed a deep cross wide at the far post and Nicky Devlin’s rocket crashed off Cobblers keeper Richard O’Donnell’s chest.
A key moment came on 76 minutes as an over-hit Grimes cross deceived stopper Roberts, struck the post, hit the keeper, ricocheted onto the bar and somehow stayed out.
Northampton had to win and as they pushed, Walsall threatened on the counter, Devlin glancing a header just wide from a Dobson cross.
But Dobson won it in stoppage time, exchanging passes with Amadou Bakayoko and sweeping home a classy 18-yard finish into the bottom corner.