Hundreds of red balloons were let off at kick off time with Walsall's game against Charlton Athletic at the Banks's Stadium as many of Walsall's fans wearing red were in a determined mood to get behind the players and manager Dean Smith in this their last home game of the season. A win, depending on how results went elsewhere, would determine if The Saddlers would escape the dreaded drop in to League Two.
Walsall's first real chance came in the eighth minute when following a pass from Matt Richards, Jon Macken produced a smart shot on the turn which was pushed away by Charlton keeper Rob Elliot.The ball fell into the path of Will Grigg whose shot was blocked.
Soon after Jordan Cook had a stunning shot pushed out by the keeper as Walsall piled on the pressure. Macken was next to try his luck on 22 minutes but his effort went wide. A Saddlers goal really looked on the cards and on 34 minutes they were rewarded for their efforts. Richard Taundry found Grigg who struck home. The home side continued to attack right up to half time.
Four minutes after the re-start Julian Gray went close with another effort.On the hour mark Cook, who had a splendid game throughout,hit the bar for The Saddlers. Walsall finally got their all-important second goal on 78 minutes to give them real hope. Gray hit hom the rebound after Macken's effort had been pushed out by Elliot The only disappointment of the afternoon was that news came over that Dagenham had also won. So Saddlers face a nail-biter at Southampton next Saturday on the final game of the season.
