Well, the Fat Controller says he’s never seen anything like it. There we were, second half with the linesman having a complete and utter mare, not getting a decision right, when the ref goes over to the fourth official, they call the linesman over (running the full length of the field in the process) and promptly “sub” him! No question in the Fat Controller’s mind that, no matter what they say, he wasn’t injured. Never mind, we were the better side anyway!

Cold, wet Tuesday nights at Bury, with a patched up midfield are the games that can win you Championships. Make no bones about it, if we are celebrating next May, this game will have gone a very long way towards that success.

The Saddlers spent a little too much time on the back foot in the first half, as the team, devoid of the injured Dobson and Keates, was put under some pressure by a young and mobile Bury side, in which former Walsall player Andy Bishop was always a threat. Clayton Ince was forced into action, making a couple of good saves, but the defence stood firm, making several good blocks. At the other end, the Butler/Tommy Wright partnership was also giving the home side quite a few problems and Warrington made one tremendous save from the Saddlers’ leading scorer.

The second half of the game exploded, however. First Bishop missed a good chance, then Warrington had to make a great reaction save at the foot of the post. After 52 minutes, however, Scott put the home side in front, following a corner, shooting home from 8 yards.

In an immediate riposte, the Saddlers broke forward and a long range effort smacked against the post.

Ince then made one tremendous save and one good one, to keep the scoreline at 0 - 1, before Walsall won another corner. Ian Roper met the cross, the ball was cleared off the line, then the rebound was clearly handled on the line. The referee gave the penalty, but, after consulting his linesman, gave the goal to Roper. For all Bury’s protests, common sense this morning should be telling them that the goal being given was better than a penalty and the inevitable red card for the player concerned.

One interesting stat, of course, is that Ian Roper has scored 5 in 11 years, but three of them have come this season.

Warrington had, by this time, been injured and had to receive lengthy treatment. With no sub keeper on the bench, Bury were in trouble, but it is difficult to know whether that had any effect or not when, after 85 minutes, Kinsella took a left wing corner and Hector Sam, on for Mark Wright, was given the free-est free header since free headers were invented (well, at least since the very similar one at home against Wycombe) and gleefully planted home his fourth of the season.

There was just time for one more piece of drama. Warrington had to go off and Andy Bishop took over in goal. In the dying seconds, Bury won a free kick on the edge of the area and Bishop came up to take it. In a game that had had everything, the Fat Controller was certain he would score, but the wall did its job.

First half to Bury, second to us, but the Fat Controller says we did just about deserve it. There were two turning points, the replacement of the linesman and the arrival of Hector Sam, who looked good.

Man of the match? The Fat Controller was tempted to give it to the sub linesman, but, in the end, plumped for the rock that is Ian Roper.

With Swindon losing, it’s 9 points clear. Onwards and upwards!