THE SADDLERS were denied all three points at promotion-chasing Swansea City by a late equaliser that cancelled out Paul Devlin's first goal for the club.

On a chilly Sunday afternoon in South Wales, it was the home side who had the first opportunity when a shot on the turn from the highly-rated Lee Trundle with four minutes on the clock bounced awkwardly in front of Andy Oakes who pushed the ball out before it was cleared to safety by the Walsall defence.

The Welshmen made a positive start to the proceedings, but on 12 minutes, Mark Wright did well out wide on the right before driving the ball across to the far post where Kevin James managed to get his head to the ball only to see Willy Gueret make an instinctive save before the loose ball was fired over.

It was The Saddlers who took the lead on 17 minutes when a foul on Wright gave us a free-kick from a wide position that was delivered low towards Devlin whose deft effort beat Gueret to send the loyal band of travelling fans wild with delight.

There was a real let-off for Kevan Broadhurst's side just four minutes later when Andy Robinson beat Craig Pead to break free inside the area, and with only Oakes to beat, his low strike curled onto the post as Leon Britton could only head the rebound over from close range.

A clever ball from skipper, Simon Osborn just past the half-hour mark picked out Devlin who was crowded out as he lined up a shot which made the effort easy for Gueret to gather.

Shortly afterwards Pead was beaten by Trundle who cut inside before chipping an inviting ball across the danger zone which just evaded Rory Fallon who had the goal at his mercy.

With the half-time interval approaching, The Saddlers carved open The Swans' back-line as Andrew Barrowman strode through before taking the ball around the advancing Gueret, but with three men racing back on the line, his weak effort was never going to trouble them and the ball was cleared.

A free-kick to the home side in the 44th minute following a foul by Pablo Mills saw the ball driven goalwards by Robinson, but James was on hand to deflect the ball out for a corner which saw Adrian Forbes head straight at Oakes.

At the other end, the lively Devlin was just off target from close range before an ambitious effort from Wright in injury time was headed off the line after Gueret was forced to head clear just outside his area and the loose ball landed straight to Wright.

The second period start with Trundle making room for a shot that was saved low to his right by Oakes before a deep cross from home substitute, Leon Knight saw Pead defend well at the far post to clear in front of goal as The Swans pushed for an equaliser.

With 61 minutes on the clock, the impressive Grant Smith did well to head off the line from Robinson's attempt as The Saddlers continued to work hard for each other, showing plenty of spirit and determination throughout the side.

A fine break out of defence down the left-hand side with 20 minutes to go saw Smith link-up with Devlin whose neat touch set James driving towards the penalty area before he crossed low into the path of Barrowman who saw his shot kept out by Gueret.

Chris Westwood returned to action in place of Wright on 72 minutes and three minutes later Osborn was booked for hacking down Ade Akinfenwa who looked to break away just over the half-way line.

It wasn't long before Osborn was replaced by youngster Ishmel Demontagnac, whilst the third and final change saw Scott Fitzgerald come on for Barrowman.

There was a booking for Mills with eight minutes to go as it was his turn to foul the powerful Akinfenwa from behind.

A sweeping break forward for Walsall saw Fitzgerald find Devlin who in turn did well to make space before releasing James whose shot from the angle was dragged wide. Then a long ball clear by Mills set Fitzgerald away and as hee cut inside Alan Tate, his shot was easy for Gueret to claim.

The home side duly went down the other end and grabbed an equaliser with just over three minutes left as Akinfenwa's shot dipped over Oakes and into the net.

The Saddlers were under seige in the closing minutes as the home side pushed for a winner. Robinson, Akinfenwa and former Saddler, Roberto Martinez all went close as Oakes also produced an important block in between getting booked for time-wasting after being booed for the majority of the game by the home fans.

In the end the final whistle sounded to give Kevan Broadhurst's side a share of the spoils and make it three away draws in a row against sides in the top six.  

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