Earlier today, Walsall Football Club travelled to Gresty Road to take on Crewe Alexandra in the latest Sky Bet League 1 fixture of the season. Our latest match report is below.
At five-past three the game finally got underway at a sunny Gresty Road, with the hosts looking to gain three points as they continue to fight against the drop, the Saddlers, although not completely out of danger, went into the game in a much more relaxed frame of mind.
Walsall enjoyed a good early spell on the ball, Hiwula, Sawyers and Morris looking to combine for an opening opportunity, the ball, which was aimed for Morris, wasn't passed well enough and was eventually cut-out by an alert defender.
Crewe's first chance of the game came to Nicky Ajose as we neared the five minute mark, his shot, from a Grant cross, was saved as follow-up Hamer's header was also cleared.
The game was stopped as Crewe's Chris Atkinson looked to have been injured in a collision with Romaine Sawyers, who seemed to have landed on his man, possibly dislocating a shoulder in the process, he was soon replaced by Nolan.
As the game got back underway, Michael Cain sent a shot over the bar, his first shot of the game.
Walsall were awarded a free kick mid-way through the Crewe half, Morris took the kick, but the 'keeper gathered with relative ease.
Crewe broke up the other end, Marcus Haber sent in a great shot that rattled the crossbar, the ball is played back in by Ajose and Haber rose well above his marker to head home past O'Donnell.
The game became a little poor in quality, both sides looking to control the midfield, this included Bradshaw running out of options down the wing, conceding a goal-kick, and left-back Andy Taylor sending a pass out of the ground.
Michael Cain gave away a sloppy free kick on the right wing, the ball was eventually cleared after Crewe failed to capitalise in the area.
Crewe's Turton was well found and burst in to the Walsall box, James O'Connor was alert to clear before he could set himself, but the home side again regained the ball and got back into the box, James Chambers the man to clear the danger this time.
Kieron Morris did well down the wing, and after a good run had a shot blocked, the Saddlers retained the ball and looked to get themselves back on level terms.
Andy Taylor was guilty of wasting possession as he was forced to put out the ball out of play, Crewe keeping up the pressure on the wide-man.
Walsall won their opening corner of the game as Hiwula forced the defender into action. Morris took the kick, which was cleared back to him, his ball back in eventually fell to the 'keeper as Adam Chambers could only head into the ground. Crewe looked for the counter.
With around thirty-five minutes gone Crewe were awarded a free kick but couldn't make much use of it, Ajose's cross was eventually gathered by O'Donnell as Walsall's defence marked the other attackers out of the game.
Later Turton did well down the wing, and sent in a dangerous cross, Ajose burst into the area but couldn't stretch those neck muscles as the chance went begging.
At the other end, Romaine Sawyers and Kieron Morris linked up very well to create an opening, Morris dragging a shot wide of goal.
As we entered the final few minutes of normal time, Walsall had a good spell on the ball but still conspired to give away a freekick, a Morris foul on Grant, the ball in was initially cleared, as O'Donnell gathered up the second wave.
At the other end Michael Cain volleyed just wide of goal as the defence backed off.
The referee gave four minutes of added time due to Atkinson's injury. Andy Taylor, following good play between Cain and Sawyers, sent a shot wide of goal from an angle.
The home side sought a penalty as time ticked down, Hamer being tackled by Taylor, referee Scott Duncan was unmoved by the protests. Haber then sliced wide as Crewe failed to make use of a dangerous position.
The Saddlers were awarded a free kick as Mchael Cain was felled well into his own area, Crewe's Dalla Valle was given some treatment as Walsall planned how to take the kick.
Richard O'Donnell was selected to take it, and launched the ball high towards Bradshaw, but nothing came of it as Crewe defended well and half-time was called.
Richard O'Donnell was selected to take it, and launched the ball high towards Bradshaw, but nothing came of it as Crewe defended well and half-time was called.
HT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 WALSALL 0
The game got back underway at 4:13pm... Both sides were unchanged, although Dean Smith must have given the players a few things to think about during the break.
Early on, Andy Taylor sloppily passed the ball out after being found wanting in the control department, not his best game so far.
Crewe continued to enjoy freedom out wide, though were prevented from getting in a few crosses as the Saddlers sat behind the ball.
James O'Connor ventured out of his defensive zone to find Kieron Morris with a cutting pass, the midfield man is blocked from goal as Crewe cleared the building danger.
Both sides were guilty of some nervous play, passes being cut out a little too easily as the nerves both on the pitch and in the stands, began to rise.
Bradshaw, who was found by a good Sawyers ball, sends a tame effort into the hands of the 'keeper, not enough power from the striker.
The referee waved play-on as Sawyers made the most of a challenge, home support not at all impressed with the seemingly theatrical fall.
Crewe's Davis was again alert to clear a dangerous Taylor cross as Tom Bradshaw was lurking in the box, ready to strike.
The Saddlers began to enjoy more of the ball and looked to pile on the pressure as the home side once again became nervous, a dangerous Morris turn was eventually cut-out as his marker recovered.
The Saddlers were forced back as O'Donnell slashed a poor clearance out of bounds. Crewe then had a ball-in gathered by the stopper.
With Purkiss supporting down the right, Romaine Sawyers did well to create space for a shot, sadly his left-footed effort was poor, and went over the bar.
As we went over the hour mark, Walsall won a corner as Leigh stood firm against Bradshaw. Cain took the kick but his ball in, and eventual second were poor, a wasted chance.
A Crewe corner was played into the box by Jamie Jones, it's flicked on by Davis but just missed by Ajose at the back post.
Walsall made their first change of the game as striker Jordan Cook replaced Kieron Morris, not the best showing from Kieron, though he has been a breath of fresh air since returning from his loan spell.
The home side soon won another corner which was worked in to the box, the eventual attack was stopped by an offside decision as Walsall again failed to clear.
A dangerous Ben Purkiss cross went begging, and wide, as Crewe defended well and prevented the run.
At the other end, Ajose's cross was too deep for Davis as Walsall allowed the home-side too much room out wide.
As the match continued to be a frenetic affair, with both sides keen to attack, last season's Player of the Season Sam Mantom was brought onto the field, he replaced Romaine Sawyers, as Dean Smith looked for some fresh legs in midfield.
Walsall won a corner, which Cain took, Taylkor almost connected as Crewe partially clear, the ball in was also cleared.
Ryan Colclough made his way onto the fired as Crewe also made a second half change. Haber taken off in the process.
As the change was made Walsall took a quick free kick, as Cook's ball for Hiwula was cut out.
Walsall equalised after 81 minutes, a Bradshaw shot takes a wicked deflection off a defender who was marking Bradshaw tightly, and looped over a helpless 'keeper.
At the other end a Grant shot stings the palms of O'Donnell, the home side then won a corner but came to nothing following another offside decision.
The home faithful became increasingly restless as they wasted a free kick, allowing Walsall to clear.
At the other end Walsall won a corner, Cain took it but Crewe partially cleared, the ball in finds Hiwula, but the Manchester CIty man can't connect as the 'keeper gathers.
Jordan Cook, on the left, had a shot deflected wide for a corner. Cain took the kick but it was cleared ahead of Andy Taylor, the Saddlers did retain the ball and searched for an opening. The ball eventually fell for Cook, who shanked the ball well wide and out of the ground.
As we entered three minutes of added time Walsall continued to enjoy a good spell on the ball, Mantom looking keen to get the ball into dangerous positions.
Walsall wasted a corner as Crewe sought to hold onto their point. Sam Mantom then sent a driven shot wide following a good bit of play in midfield.
The game was brought to an end by Referee Scott Duncan, a poor display and undeserved point for the Saddlers as relegation becomes less of a threat, Crewe's woes continue.
FT: CREWE ALEXANDRA 1 WALSALL 1
GOALS: HABER 13' -- BRADSHAW 81
ATT: 4.664 (717 Walsall)
ATT: 4.664 (717 Walsall)