Once again Town fans were left wondering why the overall dominance couldn’t be converted into a win, as Town go three games without a victory.

Like Exeter on Monday night, it was a goal just before half time that gave Walsall the important lead. An important lead because as readers will be aware, Town have not won a game this season after conceding first. Walsall’s goal came from a mix-up between David Lucas and Scott Cuthbert where Nicholas played in Steve Jones for his tenth of the season. Lucas was under some pressure from Nicholas but this cannot explain the poor choice of pass to Cuthbert when Lucas should have cleared to the midfield.

Both goals resulted from defensive errors. Town equalised early in the second half when the Walsall keeper Rene Gilmartin was at fault for failing to block a low JP McGovern shot, allowing Charlie Austin to grab his 19th goal of the season through a poacher’s effort in the box.

Whilst Town had plenty of other chances, perhaps more clear chances than on Monday night, but Rene Gilmartin stood up to the task with some excellent saves from Paynter and JP McGovern. Walsall should have secured the points with a few late chances, but they really need to practice their finishing.

Wilson’s substitutions didn’t convince me, or even when made they didn’t provide the boost at the right time. Ward didn’t have his best game and wasted several opportunities and was a candidate for going off at the break, but no. Ferry couldn’t get into the game and was taken off too late. The problem was when Nouble and Pericard came on (for Austin and Ward) these changes made us even less effective than we were before hand. Walsall began to get more into the game and fashioned the better chances in the last 20 minutes.

Monday’s post following the Exeter game was titled ‘A Missed Opportunity’. Following Leeds losing at Gillingham, Charlton beaten 1-0 at home to promoted Norwich, Millwall going down 1-0 at 6th place Huddersfield on Friday and Colchester losing, there aren’t many more opportunities left.

From http://www.swindontownfc.co.uk

Post match Wilson commented “It’ll go down to the last game of the season, I’ve always said that, and I can’t see any great way it can change”. Well if that is his mindset, which will obviously rub-off on the players, there is little wonder we find ourselves failing to secure the result. Now we are merely fulfilling Wilson’s original expectation, when there has always been a real possibility that we could have secured 2nd place, particularly as it was in our hands after the Tranmere game.