Walsall boss Smith is laughing

WALSALL’S end-of-season form has edged them in front of Athletic in the table, ahead of Saturday’s meeting between two sides still carrying top-10 hopes.

The Saddlers — unbeaten in their last six games — hit three goals in a midweek draw at Swindon.

Two-up and cruising at the County Ground home of a club who at kick-off harboured realistic hopes of automatic promotion, Dean Smith was left raging at a penalty awarded against his side by referee Iain Williamson.

The first of two spot-kicks converted by Ben Gladwin, it was controversially given for a foul by goalkeeper Richard O’Donnell on Jermaine Hylton.

“I didn’t realise you could give a penalty when the ball goes out of play,” Smith said. “That was the game changer and got their tails up.

“It is one of those things you have to laugh about. I don’t think I would be more angry if there was something riding on it. I was angry enough anyway. We want to finish as high as we can and it was a joke of a decision which changed the course of the game.”

Like Athletic, Smith has one eye on next season and contracts are currently being negotiated with a number of players. O’Donnell — who played four games on loan for Athletic from Sheffield Wednesday in 2008 — has kept 21 clean sheets this season and is mulling over a new contract offer from the club.