THE SADDLERS have put in a battling display to earn a deserved point in a goalless draw at high-flying Colchester United.

After the home side had gone close with an effort within the opening minute, Walsall hit back almost straight away as Dean Keates swung in a dangerous free-kick that was headed just wide by Ian Roper.

With four minutes on the clock, Kevin James crossed low from the right and Andrew Barrowman was just off target with his side-footed attempt.

In what was a positive start by Mick Halsall's side, it wasn't long before another inviting cross, this time from Grant Smith, gave the home side more cause for concern, however on this occasion Wayne Brown was able to chest the ball back safely into the arms of veteran goalkeeper, Aidan Davison.

Another free-kick by Keates caused problems as Pablo Mills found space at the far post on 14 minutes, but with the ball only half-cleared, Smith's low strike cannoned off the post as Roper could only guide the rebound into Davison's grateful arms.

A tame effort from Richard Garcia was easy for Andy Oakes to deal with as The Saddlers looked the more likely side in the opening half-an-hour, but as the first period came to a close, The U's began to claw themselves into the game after what had been a sluggish opening for them against a well-organised and hard-working Walsall outfit.

A curling effort by Karl Duguid was saved by Oakes, who then had t be alert to gather a high looping effort right on his line.

With time running out at the end of the first half, a Keates corner found its way back to tthe skipper following a neat ball from Mark Wright and his shot from distance almost caught out Davison who had to stretch to push the ball out.

The second period commenced with a sharp break by Walsall that ended with Smith getting into a good position but firing wide.

At the other end, Garcia broke dangerously forward only for his low drive gathered comfortably by Oakes. Moments later, Mark Yeates hit a measured shot that landed just inches wide with Oakes scrambling across his goal.

Yeates went close again on 56 minutes as he fought off the attentions of Craig Pead before taking on and beating James, but he ended up striking the ball into the side-netting.

There was a flash-point just past the hour-mark after Roper had given away a free-kick right on the edge of the area. Players from both sides got involved in some pushing and shoving as the Match Officials tried to restore order.Once things had clamed down, Roper was booked for the initial foul, whilst Smith and Chris Iwelumo also saw yellow for their part in the melee that followed.

The resulting free-kick saw the ball smashed goalwards by the highly-rated Greg Halford, however the defensive wall was on hand to do its job and deflect the ball out for a corner, which saw a teasing delivery knocked back into the danger zone following a Roper clearance, where Iwelumo saw his effort fall wide from close range.

Andrew Barrowman was booked for persistent fouling as The Saddlers defended resolutely to frustrate their hosts.

There was a scare on 77 minutes when the lively Yeates got the better of Pead out wide before taking on Anthony Gerrard and seeing Oakes save instinctively from point-blank range. The resulting corner was headed off the line by Keates at the far post as Walsall rode their luck.

Ishmel Demontagnac came on to replace fellow youngster, Alex Nicholls and it wasn't long before the youth teamer was involved in the thick of the action as he won a free-kick which found its way to Barrowman who blazed well over from a good position inside the area.

There was an end-to-end finale as both sides looked for the all-important winning goal. Mills was booked for a foul just before Mark Bradley came on to replace James.

The last real action of note saw Gerrard booked for time-wasting as he prepared to take a free-kick, but in the end, The Saddlers gave plenty of cause for future optimism with a committed and battling performance.

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