On Saturday afternoon Walsall Football Club played host to Milton Keynes Dons for what was the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Scott Brotherton was in attendance and shares his match report below.
In the first minute MK Dons' 10 blasted over to set the shot tally rolling. A lovely passing move for the Saddlers ended up with Romaine Sawyers but he was crowded out and the Dons eventually cleared.
But Walsall kept the momentum and led only a minute later. Andy Taylor's floated a pinpoint cross from the left towards Tom Bradshaw, who beat goalkeeper David Martin to the ball and headed into the back of an empty net.
It was Bradshaw's 16th goal of the season and good to him end a mini drought which dates back to early January.
The visitors responded though, with tricky Carl Baker turning Taylor inside and out on the byline before drawing a near-post save from Richard O'Donnell, who stuck out his left foot to deny the midfielder.
Things were quiet on chances front as Walsall sured things up for a while.
Ben Reeves was nearly put through but a late offside flag stopped that, just as he was brought down in the area.
But Karl Robinson's men did equalise through former Saddler Will Grigg on 32 minutes, and it owed a lot to some poor defending from the hosts.
Grigg's celebration was an odd one in front of his former club. He started by simply jogging away but suddenly started sprinting and threw his arms out, seemingly goading the home fans. It was as though he had heard something from a supporter, or just remembered the jeers that the Walsall fans had aimed at him all game.
Grigg's celebration was an odd one in front of his former club. He started by simply jogging away but suddenly started sprinting and threw his arms out, seemingly goading the home fans. It was as though he had heard something from a supporter, or just remembered the jeers that the Walsall fans had aimed at him all game.
Dean Bowditch delivered a low ball across the six-yard box and, with the defence all standing like statues, Grigg nipped in to tap in from a yard.
For the Saddlers, Sawyers shuffled his way into some space before hitting a low effort which was too tame and easy for Martin.
But then Grigg was nearly in again via an excellent through ball. O'Donnell got a boot on it as Grigg tried to go around him, so it bounced back into the striker and out for a goal kick.
With the scores level, both teams created great chances before the half was over. With all the play happening down the right for Walsall, Sawyers ghosted in on the left-hand side but fired into the side-netting from just inside the box.
For the Dons Jordan Spence struck a vicious 30 yard drive which had O'Donnell at full stretch, luckily flying narrowly wide of the post.
HT: WALSALL 1 MILTON KEYNES DONS 1
Dean Smith's side continued their bright finish to the first period after the break.
Sawyers' brilliant pass allowed Taylor to square to Bradshaw. The striker's confidence was clearly high as he tried a clever flick through his legs towards goal, but it lacked any power and the keeper could gather.
Both teams then had excellent opportunities from the corner flag.
Centre-half Anthony Kay sent in a looping header that dropped comfortably off target for MK Dons.
And just before the hour mark Adam Chambers had an even better chance. He was left free at the far post and connected with a bullet header which was cleared off line.
Sam Mantom, starting his first match of the season and great to see back on the teamsheet, also saw a half volley go wide from the edge if the area.
Bradshaw then squeezed the ball through to Sawyers on another Walsall attack, but the St Kitts and Nevis man was narrowly offside even though he hammered home for good measure.
Baker blasted over to waste a good MK Dons advantage played by ref Sebastian Stockbridge, while Jordan Cook seized on the leftovers of a Saddlers free kick to force Martin to save at his near stick.
Kay's swirling effort flew over but O'Donnell's body language suggested he wasn't worried and Anthony Forde, on from the subs bench, tried an ambitious drive which was no trouble for the Dons goalkeeper.
Forde had replaced Jordy Hiwula on the wing, and the Manchester City youngster had looked impressive and linked up well with the forwards before coming off.
MK Dons sub Daniel Powell's powerful daisy-cutter zipped just off target and Mantom stabbed an attempt goalwards which Martin's fingertips just sent over the centre of the goal.
James O'Connor, my man of the match for an imperious defensive performance, almost undid all his good work with a misjudged header back to O'Donnell. Fortunately the keeper was alert and was able to push the ball away from goal for a corner.
It was a thoroughly entertaining 1-1 draw, and one in which neither team could really have begrudged the other a point.
Walsall remain 16th in a good day for League 1's strugglers which brings the bottom four slightly closer to the Saddlers.
By: Scott Brotherton.