Goalkeeper Liam Roberts thwarts Oxford as Walsall claim victory

Posted Sunday, January 14, 2018 by PA

A string of superb saves from keeper Liam Roberts helped Walsall move clear of the drop zone as a 2-1 victory dealt a blow to Oxford's play-off push.

Roberts saved well from James Henry 10 yards out after 25 minutes then, two minutes later, made a stunning one-handed reflex stop to foil Wes Thomas' bullet near-post header.

Against the run of play, Walsall took the lead after 33 minutes as Luke Leahy drilled across the six-yard box for Amadou Bakayoko to bundle home.

Walsall doubled their lead after 48 minutes as Erhun Oztumer latched on to Leahy's long ball and chipped U's keeper Simon Eastwood, who got a touch but could not keep it out.

United were back in it on 70 minutes as Alex Mowatt curled home a fine free-kick from just outside the box.

But Roberts made a brave save to stop Jon Obika rounding him when clean through and a fantastic flying stop to flick Henry's 25-yard thunderbolt away from the top corner.

Agon Mehmeti could still have rescued Oxford a point but he steered into the side netting from six yards in stoppage time.