Walsall survived a determined rally as they beat Northampton 3-1 at the Banks's Stadium.
Walsall fend off opponents to record home win
Walsall picked up their first win in six games but had to survive a determined rally as they beat Northampton 3-1 at the Banks's Stadium.
The Saddlers notched two goals in a five-minute spell - firstly in the 17th minute as Chris Palmer cut inside to rifle the ball into the roof of the net and register his first goal for the club.
Then a Palmer corner in the 22nd minute led to a goalmouth scramble in which Anthony Gerrard appeared to get the final touch for the Saddlers' second.
Walsall looked safe in the 63rd minute when they notched a third, Palmer having a shot blocked, but as the ball spun high in the air Troy Deeney beat Northampton goalkeeper Frank Fielding and the ball looped in.
From then on, however, Northampton ran the show and were back in it after 70 minutes when Leon Constantine headed in after Giles Coke had hit the crossbar.
