Smith salutes fantastic Cook

Dean Smith praised Jordan Cook after the striker scored twice to help Walsall extend their unbeaten league run to six games.

After early Walsall pressure, Barnsley took a surprise lead in the 29th minute when Lewin Nyatanga was unmarked to score with a firm header inside the far post. That brought a determined response from the Saddlers who hit two goals in a three-minute burst. Cook equalised when he met Michael Cain's corner with a magnificent half-volley from the edge of the box after 31 minutes. Before the Tykes knew what had hit them Cook then set up Tom Bradshaw and he coolly beat a defender before drilling home his 10th goal of the season. Walsall made sure of all three points with a third goal in stoppage time, as Cook fired home from a pass by substitute Mathiew Manset. Smith said: "Cooky did really well at Tranmere on Tuesday and his first goal today was a fantastic finish. I have a lot of time for him, and he has done really well since breaking his ankle in pre-season. "I thought we were average at times, but we did some good things as well and saw the game out." Walsall, who are just two games away from their first ever appearance at Wembley, in the Johnstone's Paint Trophy, are now hoping to fulfil manager Smith's forecast that they can reach the top six in League One. Smith said: "We had a poor start to the season in terms of points, but the return since has been really good, and we have a very busy period coming up with tough games against Sheffield United, Swindon and MK Dons." Barnsley are without a win in five league and cup games and face a difficult FA Cup replay at Chester on Tuesday, and manager Danny Wilson said: "We know exactly what Chester are capable of. It will be a very tough game "I thought the biggest problem we had today was that we had great situations but just frittered them away. The final ball in the first half was poor. "In the second half we had the lion's share but didn't make it count, but the lad who came in today did well. "It was disappointing to concede the equaliser so soon after taking the lead, but it was a great strike and fantastic technique by their lad. But their second goal was down to ourselves and the third was when we were pushing forward. "Walsall played very well. I watched them at Tranmere on Tuesday and couldn't believe it when they went two down, but they showed great character in winning the game, and they showed glimpses of that today." Wilson confirmed that his injured striker Sam Winnall would not recover in time for the FA Cup replay on Tuesday.