League Two leaders Walsall extended their cushion at the top to four points with a scrappy 1-0 win over Barrow.

Defender Taylor Allen’s first-half strike stretched the Saddlers’ unbeaten run to 10 games.

After a cagey start, Walsall began to exert control as Jamille Matt’s half-volley tested Barrow keeper Paul Farman and Liam Gordon fired wide from 25 yards.

They led on 28 minutes, centre-back Allen driving forward to drill a low 18-yard strike that took a slight deflection into the corner for his fifth goal of the season.

Emile Acquah almost levelled for Barrow seven minutes later, beating several challenges in a rampaging run but then dragging wide.

Acquah went even closer to an equaliser just before half-time as his close-range snapshot was foiled by Walsall keeper Tommy Simkin’s excellent reaction stop.

Nathan Lowe went close to a second on the hour but lashed into the side netting before Saddlers substitute Jamie Jellis forced a smart near-post save from Farman.

But Barrow never threatened a leveller as their winless run stretched to nine league games.