Swindon Town recorded their third consecutive victory, in spite of a flurry of Walsall attacks and some horrific weather conditions as they held on to win 2-1 at the County Ground.
Powerful winds and driving rain caused havoc for both teams; however, Eoin Doyle and Diallang Jaiyesimi both found the net four minutes into the first and second half respectively.
Rory Gaffney halved the deficit with a free header soon after the second goal, to keep the whole of the County Ground on the edge of their seats.
Steven Benda maintained his good run of performances, and was called upon to deny the visitors an equaliser several times in the second-half, but Richie Wellens’ men held firm.
First-half:
The Robins flew out of the traps and had the lead after five minutes.
Eoin Doyle tapped in his 14th goal in 14 games, after Keshi Anderson swooped behind the Walsall defence and found the striker known as ‘The Ginger Pele’ with a low cross.
Ten minutes later, the Robins came under attack. Elijah Adebayo fizzing a first-time effort from Shay Facey’s low cross required a flying save from Steven Benda.
Doyle nearly scored his and Town’s second on 30 minutes, but his header from Michael Doughty’s low, gliding corner was cleared of the line.
Just before half-time the same pair came tantalisingly close to scoring again.
Doughty whipped in a beautiful cross, but Doyle did not quite have the flight to meet it.
Second-half:
It only took three minutes for Town to double their advantage after the break.
Diallang Jaiyesimi found space on the edge of the box, and put the ball past Jack Rose with the help of a deflection.
Four minutes later and the Robins wings were cut, Rory Gaffney capitalised on the Town defence falling asleep to head home easily past Benda.
Chances were hard to come by for both teams after the Walsall goal, and Rob Hunt skimming shot was the only chance of the game for about 20 minutes.
Lyden had an excellent opportunity to recover the two-goal cushion, but his volley from Doyle’s lofted ball just sailed over the bar.
Gaffney thought he saw Benda all at sea and tried his luck with an audacious chip from 50-yards, but the keeper sensed the danger and recovered to catch the ball.
In the dying minutes, Benda needed all of his wing span to deny Walsall, not one but two saves.
Walsall threw everything at Town, but the defence were resolute and ensured the three points stayed at the County Ground.
