Signed by Walsall for their first season back in the League, Bowen was pushed straight into the first team. He showed himself to be an accomplished inside right, scoring 19 goals in 80 games. He then made 4 appearances in Wolves' successful run-in to the Division 3 (North) championship, and eventually scored 24 goals in 94 appearances. Surplus to requirements he moved to City, but despite scoring twice on his debut against Norwich on the opening day of the season, he was an overall disappointment.