Walsall boss Mat Sadler believes Mo Faal’s late winner could be “gold dust” in the race for the League Two play-offs after his side revived their top-seven hopes by beating Salford 2-1.
The on-loan West Brom striker cut inside to lash the ball home in the third minute of second-half stoppage-time for his fourth goal since his January loan move, ending a four-game winless run for the Saddlers.
Salford midfielder Matty Lund had nodded home Ryan Watson’s cross to cancel out Jamille Matt’s early bullet header for the hosts before Faal popped up to win it at the death.
The victory ensured an immediate response to a 5-0 thrashing at MK Dons on Good Friday, putting Walsall three points off the play-off spots with games in hand on most of their rivals.
“It’s fair to say, it wasn’t vintage us,” said Sadler. “But the response was the most important thing. The game on Friday was sobering and the lads were desperate to put that right.
“We took a knockback by conceding but we kept on ploughing forward to try to get that win so I was delighted we all got that moment at the end. We got our rewards today.
“We’re getting to that time of the season where these late goals can be gold dust and mean a hell of a lot.
“Nothing was ever going to be decided today but, on the face of it, with the other results, it was important that we won.
“There will be loads of twists and turns to come but we are in the mix, we’re in the fight – we haven’t been in the fight for a few years as a football club.
“I don’t remember the last time we were in the fight for these play-off places so with six games to go, we’ve given ourselves a chance.”
Salford, meanwhile, are not safe from relegation as they sit nine points above the bottom two in 20th place but with sides below them picking up.
“No one likes losing but there are ways to lose,” said frustrated boss Karl Robinson.
“It’s a bitter one to take but it’s a learning process still, just trying to find that balance. I’ve seen more parts of our game that I liked than what I didn’t like.
“We dominated the football with some lovely moves. I thought we were very good and in the second half I thought we were the only team that was going to show any impetus to get a win.
“But then it’s silly, silly defending that’s cost us.
“If you looked at the game, I thought we dominated large parts of it and our energy levels looked incredible so I’m very proud from that point of view but I’m furious with the individual stupidity.”
Al-Nassr 1-2 Al-Qadsiah: Aubameyang winner ends hosts' unbeaten run
Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang hit the winner as Al-Qadsiah inflicted a 2-1 defeat on Al-Nassr in the Saudi Pro League on Friday to end their 21-match unbeaten run.
Cristiano Ronaldo's seventh league goal of the season put Al-Nassr ahead, but Al-Qadsiah replied swiftly through Julian Quinones before Aubameyang struck the decisive blow.
The hosts drew first blood in the 32nd minute when Ronaldo slotted home after Al-Qadsiah goalkeeper Koen Casteels had spilled a routine catch from Talisca's cross.
However, Al-Nassr's joy was short-lived when Quinones brought down Turki Al Ammar's delivery five minutes later, with the Mexcio winger firing past Bento to level the scores.
Quinones also played a part in the winning goal after brilliantly turning the ball back across goal from Nahitan Nandez's search pass to tee up a simple finish for Aubameyang.
The result sees Al-Qadsiah move level on 22 points with third-placed Al-Nassr, with Al-Shabab also level with them.
Stefano Pioli's Al-Nassr are six points adrift of defending champions and leaders Al-Hilal, who also have a game in hand.
Arsenal handed another injury blow as White ruled out for 'months'
Mikel Arteta confirmed that Arsenal defender Ben White is facing "months" on the sidelines after sustaining a knee injury.
White had been dealing with several issues all season and has missed five games in all competitions for the Gunners already this term.
After struggling through until the November international break, the decision was taken for him to undergo surgery in order to finally address the ongoing problems.
It serves as a bitter blow for Arteta, with only Thomas Parety (13) making more interceptions than White (11) for Arsenal in the Premier League this campaign.
Though Arteta confirmed that the surgery was successful, White is set for a lengthy spell out of the team.
"It has been different kinds of struggles. It has never been the same thing, but we had to make a decision. He has not improved over the last few weeks, unfortunately," said Arteta.
"We know that Ben is going to push every boundary, but it got to the point where we have to protect the player and we decided to do the surgery.
"He agreed with that and it is going to keep him out for a few months."
Asked for a specific time frame, Arteta added: "We have to see how he reacts post-surgery. I don't expect it to be half a year, but I cannot tell you exactly."
It offers a concern for Arteta in the full-back area, with the Spaniard also revealing on Friday that Takehiro Tomiyasu is "going to be out as well for a bit".
There was, however, some positive injury news for the Gunners ahead of welcoming Nottingham Forest to the Emirates on Saturday.
After not featuring for England during the international break, Bukayo Saka and Declan Rice are expected to be fit to feature against Nuno Espirito Santo's side.
Leandro Trossard will also be available for Arteta despite picking up a hamstring injury during the international break with Belgium.
Defender Riccardo Calafiori is also in contention for Saturday's game after a month out with a knee problem.
Vlahovic out of Juventus clash with Milan
Dusan Vlahovic will miss Juventus' trip to Milan in Serie A this weekend and is also a doubt for the Champions League game at Aston Villa, head coach Thiago Motta has confirmed.
Vlahovic returned from the international break with a muscle problem in his left thigh, and the manager, after he confirmed the Serbian's absence for Saturday's game at San Siro, was asked about his chances of playing on Wednesday at Villa Park.
"I don't know. He definitely won't be there tomorrow. We hope to have him back as soon as possible," Motta told a press conference on Friday.
"Injuries are part of football. Now it's Vlahovic's turn, but we'll keep playing with the same principles, attacking and defending together."
Vlahovic is the latest of Motta's injury problems at Juventus. Argentine winger Nicolas Gonzalez missed the last six league games and is still unavailable, while Poland striker Arkadiusz Milik is a long-term absentee.
Brazilian midfielder Douglas Luiz will also miss the game with Milan and defender Juan Cabal recently suffered an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury, the same issue which will keep fellow defender Gleison Bremer out for the rest of the season.
"I'm really disappointed for Cabal because, like Bremer, he'll be out for a long time," Motta said.
"This is another reason to push ourselves, to commit that bit more so that these absences don't weigh too heavily."
Juventus go into the game as the only unbeaten side in Serie A but find themselves sixth in the standings in what is so far a very tight title race, with just two points separating Motta's side from leaders Napoli.
"It's very balanced and this is good for both us and the public," Motta said.
"We must all try to continue like this. We have to try to get as many positive results as possible."
Milan are one place behind Juve but six points off Motta's side.
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