According to tonight’s match programme, Walsall are the only team not to have comeback to win a match after falling behind this season - so when Darren Bent fired Ipswich ahead, things looked ominous. The simple fact is that we don’t seem to score much lately. Colin Lee’s ‘negative tactics’ – which tonight saw us have about three noteworthy shots all game – aren’t working…and relegation is looming ever closer!

With Leitao injured and Samways still bedridden, Paul Merson returned to the starting XI and loanee Andrews made his second start in red. Craig Burley – signed yesterday – had not been registered in time to play due to ‘administrative errors’…

Tonight may have turned out very different if only Paul Ritchie’s header from a Merson corner had not been cleared off the line by debutant Matt Elliot. Walsall matched Ipswich throughout the first half, passing much better than on Saturday. However, they were indebted to Walker who dived to his right to keep out a curling effort from Miller ten minutes before half time.

Ipswich began strongly after the break and went ahead after 48 minutes when Bent fired home the rebound after Walker had saved from Jermaine Wright. Eleven minutes later, it was 2-0; Bowditch put Bent through on the right and the talented youngster fired past Jimmy. The Saddlers seemed to have run out of ideas and could have shipped many more had it not been for Walker, who saved from Elliot just after Miller had struck the bar.

Walsall sent on Taylor for Corica to cheers of “Too Late, Too Late” and it was he who won the free kick after 88 minutes which gave Walsall a lifeline. Man of the match Keith Andrews curled home a quick free kick from the edge of the box to make the score 1-2.

Matty Fryatt replaced Merson as Walsall threw everything forward in search of an equaliser but were then hit on the break as Bent completed his hat trick, firing home a cross from Westlake.

Ipswich hadn’t won any of their last five away games but comfortably beat us. The difference was Darren Bent – largely ineffective but for three clinical finishes. Walsall have plenty of strikers – Birch, Wales, Leitao, Fryatt, even Merson and Emblen – but no goalscorers. Two players could have changed our season – both of whom were on loan here last season – how we needed a Junior and/or Gareth Ainsworth tonight?!