Oldham Athletic

Jordan Cook had given Walsall the lead early in the game but a goal in each half from the departing Conor Wilkinson and midfielder Mike Jones sealed Latics the win.

After a slow start to the game, the Saddlers took the lead on ten minutes through striker Cook. The striker, who is making his first start for Walsall today, latched onto a through ball by defender Andy Butler and put the ball beyond Paul Rachubka to put the visitors ahead.

The Oldham Athletic defence were coming under intense pressure from the 24-year-old as he caused a threat in attack. Firstly, Cook received the ball on the edge of the box but volleyed over. 

Seconds later, the striker curled a shot destined for the top corner but luckily for Latics, it went over the bar.

The home side started to come back into the game. Carl Winchester struck a fantastic effort from the edge of the box after neat footwork by Mike Jones but his shot hit the side netting.

Wilkinson and Poleon were causing the Walsall defence a lot of problems and just after the half hour mark, Wilkinson did get the goal to bring the scores level.

Winchester broke from midfield and fed Jones whose deflected effort fell into the path of Wilkinson to fire home from 10 yards to equalise for Latics.

The home side pressed and pressed but could not find a way through the solid defence and went into the half time break level. 

Athletic came out strong in the second half but Walsall goalkeeper Richard O'Donnell was proving to be a tough guy to beat.

Jabo Ibehre entered the field of play just before the hour mark for his Oldham Athletic debut and made an instant impact. 

Jones' tenacity gave him space to pick out a cross for the striker to shoot but his trickling effort was somehow saved by O'Donnell.

Minutes later, Winchester tested the goalkeeper from 25 yards but he comfortably saved the midfielder's strong effort.

Wilkinson, who had caused a threat all afternoon, was substituted on 73 minutes and received a standing ovation as that signalled the end of his loan spell. 

On 75 minutes, Latics took the lead through a superb strike from Jones. The midfielder picked up the ball on 25 yards and thundered a shot towards goal which beat O'Donnell and smashed in with the aid of the crossbar. 

Walsall looked to respond and substitute Mathieu Manset went closest to equalising in stoppage time but September Player of the Month James Wilson put the striker off and his shot failed to trouble Rachubka. 

The defence held firm and hung on to the victory to seal Latics the three points and push them closer to the play off positions.