Walsall 1-0 Barrow
Saturday 14 December 2024 17:55, UK
League Two leaders Walsall extended their cushion at the top to four points with a scrappy 1-0 win over Barrow.
Defender Taylor Allen's first-half strike stretched the Saddlers' unbeaten run to 10 games.
After a cagey start, Walsall began to exert control as Jamille Matt's half-volley tested Barrow keeper Paul Farman and Liam Gordon fired wide from 25 yards.
They led on 28 minutes, centre-back Allen driving forward to drill a low 18-yard strike that took a slight deflection into the corner for his fifth goal of the season.
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Emile Acquah almost levelled for Barrow seven minutes later, beating several challenges in a rampaging run but then dragging wide.
Acquah went even closer to an equaliser just before half-time as his close-range snapshot was foiled by Walsall keeper Tommy Simkin's excellent reaction stop.
Nathan Lowe went close to a second on the hour but lashed into the side netting before Saddlers substitute Jamie Jellis forced a smart near-post save from Farman.
But Barrow never threatened a leveller as their winless run stretched to nine league games.
