Walsall lay third in the League One table despite not playing since Good Friday. The Saddlers come into this fixture with just one defeat in their last six matches and have claimed maximum points in each of their last three outings. Their only defeat during this short spell came at home to Barnsley (1-3) on 5th March. Since then they have won away from home at Chesterfield (4-1) and Fleetwood Town (1-0) before beating struggling Colchester United.
Walsall grabbed a dramatic 2-1 win over bottom-of-the table Colchester after equalising in the 89th minute before substitute Matt Preston hit the clincher in the fourth minute of stoppage time at the Banks's Stadium. Defender Preston was the hero after being pushed up front, scoring the winner after his header put Tom Bradshaw through in the last minute of normal time to equalise, which was tough on Colchester who had been the better side throughout the League One encounter.
Colchester surprised promotion-chasing Walsall with the quality of their early play, and George Moncur was prominent in most of the visitors' raids, while Chris Porter caused problems in the air. When the Saddlers did start to push forward, Jordy Hiwula was tripped just outside the box and in the 16th minute they lost key defender James O'Connor with a leg injury, with Preston replacing him.
The U's continued to look more dangerous going forward and took the lead in stoppage time at the end of the first half, Alex Gilbey heading in a left-wing corner from Owen Garvan. Only a fine save by home keeper Neil Etheridge prevented Colchester doubling their lead in the 60th minute, but Walsall's desperate late rally kept their automatic promotion dream alive.
Caretaker boss Jon Whitney is likely to be once again without midfielder Adam Chambers, 34 who is absent with a knee problem. Meanwhile Isaiah Osbourne (also knee) remains side-lined as he continues his rehabilitation.
Picture: Full-Back Andy Taylor is likely to face former club Sheffield United at Bramall Lane.
Blades-Mad Prediction: Sheffield United 2 Walsall 1
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