PETERBOROUGH UNITED v WALSALL
THE SADDLERS stepped out at a very soggy London Road for this Valentine's Day clash hoping to feel the love with three points.Heavy rain greeted the kick-off as both sides look to get used to the conditions in the opening exchanges. Neither team able to make much of an early impact.
There were a couple of shouts for a penalty from the home side as firstly Mal Benning and Danny Swanson battled for possession and then Tommy Rowe tangled with Paul Downing. On both occasions, the referee was unimpressed.
The pitch is developing into something of a mud bath, especially down the middle.
With Walsall starting to get into our stride, a corner found the head of Michael Ngoo, who was making his first start. He got away from his marker but his effort lacked the necessary power to trouble the 'keeper.
There was a strike from distance by Sam Mantom that was pushed out by the 'keeper as Milan Lalkovic flashed the ball back across goal with no-one on hand to profit.
A teasing ball to the far post by Lalkovic just evaded Febian Brandy.
Some pressure from Walsall as half-time approached saw Brandy's powerful low strike saved and then from the resulting corner, Mantom had an effort that was scrambled away from Brandy who was lurking with intent.
HALF-TIME: Peterborough United 0 Walsall 0
A good move saw Craig Westcarr play in Brandy with an intelligent ball and his pull-back from near the by-line was cleared ahead of Ngoo.
At the other end, O'Donnell did well to deny Michael Bostwick.
A break through the middle by Swanson ended with O'Donnell blocking and then gathering the rebound from Assombalonga.
There was a booking for Milan Lalkovic before Romaine Sawyers replaced Ngoo with 20 minutes to go.
The Saddlers' defence had a couple of nervy moments as a low ball came in from the right.
A second change saw James Baxendale replace Lalkovic.
Walsall put together a neat move on the right that ended with Ben Purkiss' inviting cross being cleared. It led to The Saddlers forcing a series of corners as the home side were unable to clear their lines.
A lively burst from Brandy saw him get away from his marker only to fire over.
There was a late booking for Sawyers as he prevented the home side from taking a free-kick quickly.
In stoppage time, Ashley Hemmings replaced Brandy as the game ended goalless.
FULL-TIME: Peterborough United 0 Walsall 0