TOWN are sitting proudly on top of League I - and deservedly so!
Peter Jackson's side never really hit top form on Saturday at the Galpharm, but they were still way too good for Walsall.
It was fitting that Andy Booth's 100th League goal for the club should set Town on the road to a victory wrapped up by Pawel Abbott's excellent double.
And the scoreline could easily have been more emphatic as in-form skipper Jon Worthington and the evergreen Booth both rattled the woodwork.
It mattered not in the final analysis, however, as three points and confirmation of Southend's defeat at Doncaster catapulted Town to the top of the table.
Over 11,000 home fans lapped it up and rightly accorded a standing ovation at the end.
They've seen better performances this season, but Town look as though they've got the promotion bit between their teeth and that's encouraging with almost a third of the season gone.
While Walsall briefly got on terms with a Paul Smith header from Mark Kinsella's free-kick in the 31st minute, Town bossed the opening half with some fluent passing play.
They were more patchy in the second half, allowing Walsall one or two unnecessary chances, but the result was put beyond doubt 12 minutes from time when Abbott grabbed his 11th goal of the season.
It came from a Nathan Clarke long throw-in flicked on by Booth and was finished from close range with a real poacher's instinct.
His first strike, in the 34th minute, was from much the same mould too, only this time it was created by Schofield's skilful run and cross after Clarke had sent a raking pass down the righthand side.
While Abbott's finishing was of the highest calibre, he deserves much of the credit for Booth's opener in the 15th minute.
There seemed little danger to Walsall's rearguard as Clarke pumped the ball forward, but goalkeeper John Ruddy retreated instead of clearing and that left Chris Westwood in trouble.
Abbott quickly bundled him off the ball and flicked it to Booth, who chested down before curling a smashing shot wide of Ruddy's dive.
It immediately sparked the John Smith's Stand into a chorus of "Who needs Wayne Rooney when we've got Boothy" and the goal inspired some of the best attacks of the match.
With Worthington at the hub and Schofield taking on defenders for fun, Town had Walsall on the rack.
Danny Adams and Tony Carss joined in the neat passing moves down the left and, with Abbott and Booth always showing for link-up possession, Walsall saw precious little of the ball.
Town should have had the chance to go further ahead on 23 minutes, but dreadful referee Trevor Kettle and his assistants failed to see Booth being floored in the box as Carss and Abbott broke down the left.
Town had a warning from a smart Jorge Leitao break, but manager Paul Merson could hardly believe it when Smith equalised from a free-kick which should never have been awarded against Andy Holdsworth on the nippy Ishmel Demontagnac.
After Abbott restored Town's lead, Schofield went close either side of half time, while Booth was desperately unlucky not to score from a Carss corner on 69 with a header against the inside of a post and cleared off the line by the clever Kinsella.
While David Mirfin was sloppy in letting substitute David McDermott have a chance to equalise with a header after 75 minutes, Town finished strongly after Abbott netted the third and they even had the chance to give Matthew Young a League debut as a substitute, although he didn't get chance to touch the ball.
Great stuff Town, keep it up!
How they rated:
Paul Rachubka No chance with the goal and had an alarm when the ball bounced over his head, but otherwise solid and assured Rating: 7/10
Andy Holdsworth Not quite as prominent in an attacking sense with Schofield on the same flank but did well overall against Demontagnac Rating: 7/10
Danny Adams Probably just as well he missed Jorge Leitao when flying into a late challenge because he might have killed him Rating: 7/10
David Mirfin Very solid and pushed forward well with the ball. One lapse when he let McDermott have a free header at goal Rating: 7/10
Nathan Clarke Involved in the build-up to all three goals with two long passes and a long throw-in. Another strong display all round Rating: 7/10
Tony Carss Provided good balance down the left. Had the ball taken off his head from Schofield's cross when a goal looked on Rating: 7/10
Jon Worthington Hit the post with a cracking shot in the second minute and close with another shot. Again the driving force Rating: 7/10
Mark Hudson Forced of with a deadleg in only his third start at the Galpharm. Involved in some neat passing moves early in the game Rating: 7/10
Danny Schofield Contender for man of the match with his tricks down the right wing. Set up Abbott's first goal and twice close himself Rating: 7/10
Andy Booth Scored the 100th League goal of his Town career and laid on a goal for Abbott in a fine performance Rating: 7/10
Pawel Abbott Back in the starting side and grabbed two super poacher's goals to total 11 for the season so far. Also made the opener Rating: 8/10
