A slow start to the game, in the bitter cold of The Banks’ Stadium, against table-topping Charlton Athletic.
An early winding run from Jamie Paterson, saw him fire a curling effort just wide from 18 yards, as both teams fought to settle.
Charlton began to threaten and Jimmy Walker was forced into a couple of simple yet important stops, and a good block from right-back Lee Beevers keeping Charlton at bay.
The game descended into the scrappy midfield battle for supremacy, that Saddlers fans know so well with Charlton showing more attacking prowess, but the Saddlers keeping them at bay well.
On the 35th minute, Walsall earned their first corner of the game, which fell kindly to Mat Sadler whose drive was blocked, leaving Jon Macken with the pleasant task of turning the ball in from six yards out, to shock and delight the home crowd.
Youngster Jamie Paterson’s flair quickly became the only real source of excitement for The Saddlers, and the threatening-yet ineffective Bradley Wright-Phillips had a couple of chances but nothing for the travelling fans to get too excited about.
Just as it looked as if Walsall would be heading into the break with the lead, Charlton broke with Ephraim bursting down the left and Yann Kermorgant heading home the equaliser.
HALF TIME: Walsall 1 Charlton Athletic 1
The second half began with some good play from Charlton, loanee Halliday was taken off to be replaced by Claude Gnakpa.
Walsall began to build some momentum, and a corner saw temporary Captain Adam Chambers head just over the bar.
A Charlton free kick, was skied from 25 yards, and a Kermorgant header was dropped straight to Walker in a period that was otherwise devoid of excitement until Gnakpa had an attempt block and Mat Sadler looped an effort which saw the keeper beaten but was headed off the line by Russell.
To the dismay and shock of a lot of fans, exciting Jamie Paterson was taken off, and replaced by fellow youngster George Bowerman. Not long later in a clear statement of intent, to keep hold of the point, by replacing Macken with midfielder Peterlin.
Walsall looked set to end the game the stronger of the two sides with a couple of chances for Bowerman, before left-back Mat Sadler was dismissed for a second bookable offence in a definite ‘game to forget’ for referee Dave Webb.
An astounding five minutes of stoppage time was added, but Walsall’s resolute defending saw them hold out for a fantastic hard earned point.
A good battling performance from the boys, in a game which we probably weren’t expected to get anything at all.
Macken looked dangerous for the most part and Manny Smith definitely deserved his Man of the match award as he continues to grow throughout the season. Paterson looks very exciting and adds pace and some much needed flair. I do think Smith needs to address the clear disciplinary record by the squad this season as we will undoubtedly miss the reliable Mat Sadler during his one game ban.
RESULT: Walsall 1 (Macken 36') Charlton Athletic 1 (Kermgorant 45')
By: Lee Hale