THE SADDLERS were beaten by two goals from Adebayo Akinfenwa on an out-of-sorts afternoon at the Banks's Stadium.

With a strong swirling wind, it was Northampton Town who posed the early questions. However, on four minutes a foul on Darren Wrack gave Lee Holmes a free-kick in a good position which he curled dangerously to the far post as the ball landed inches wide off Ian Roper.

A burst through the middle by Holmes on seven minutes saw him set up Tommy Mooney to his left and his low drive was blocked by the legs of Mark Bunn in the visitors' goal.

The Cobblers proceeded to go straight up the other end and take the lead as Adebayo Akinfenwa lifted the ball over Clayton Ince.

A foul by Roper in the tenth minute gave Danny Jackman a free-kick which he put just over.

With 23 minutes on the clock, Northampton substitute Giles Coke was allowed to run at the Walsall defence before firing over the crossbar. At the other end, another teasing free-kick from Holmes saw a flicked effort by Roper creep just wide.

Joe Burnell's effort was saved by Ince before Wesron saw yellow for a late challenge on Ian Henderson.

The visitors certainly came out with all guns blazing in the opening period and didn't allow The Saddlers any time to settle on the ball.

The final minute of the half saw Mark Bradley fire wide as the half-time whistle sounded seconds later.

The second period started in a similar vein with The Cobblers maintaining their momentum.

After Holmes had seen a free-kick well gathered by Bunn, there was a change as Moore, who was making his home debut, was replaced by Richard Taundry.

On 68 minutes Holmes dug out an inviting cross to the far post which was met by the head of Mooney but his effort was saved by the 'keeper.

Shortly afterwards Paul Boertien was replaced by Troy Deeney and within a couple of minutes Northampton had extended their lead as a cross from the right picked out Akinfenwa in space in front of goal and he planted a header beyond Ince.

Holmes was inches off target with a free-kick before Mooney was presented with an excellent chance on 72 minutes when Deeney's intelligent header across goal found him in space but he failed to make a proper connection and it allowed Bunn to make an easy save.

It was a real let-off for the visitors as the clock ticked down.

With ten minutes to go, Weston was replaced by Michael Dobson. A couple of minutes later Betsy managed to get in a cross from the by-line which Jackman cleared at the second attempt right in front of goal.

Then Holmes saw a cross flash agonisingly across the face of goal, just beyond Mooney as the visitors had to defend resolutely to protect their lead.

On 87 minutes Roper's long ball out of defence picked out Mooney who held off two challenges before lining up a shot that he blazed well over.

A minute later Mooney's header was clawed wide by Bunn as The Saddlers enjoyed some sustained pressure for the first time in the game.

A mistake by Jackman in the closing stages presented Mooney with another chance but again he was denied by Bunn as the resulting corner saw Bradley's strike deflected just wide.

It was one of those days for Richard Money's men who will be looking to bounce straight back when Brighton & Hove Albion provide the opposition here at the Banks's Stadium on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

PHOTOS: David Linney Photography