IN WHAT was Kevan Broadhurst's first game at the helm, The Saddlers showed plenty of spirit and determination to battle out a richly-deserved point in a goalless draw at League leaders, Southend United.

There was a lengthy delay within the opening two minutes when home defender, Spencer Prior fell awkwardly and was eventually stretchered from the field to be replaced by Efe Sodje.

On six minutes, Andrew Barrowman showed plenty of strength to win the ball from Adam Barrett before picking out strike partner, Scott Fitzgerald who in turn linked up with Dean Keates to present Simon Osborn with a shooting chance which he dragged well wide.

Backed by an extremely vocal travelling contingent, Walsall began the game in a positive frame of mind against a Southend United side that haven't lost in the League since the end of November.

The Shrimpers' first real effort at goal came in the 12th minute when a low, curling effort from Mitchell Cole was well held by Andy Oakes.

It wasn't long before it was The Saddlers' turn to cause problems as Keates put in a dangerous corner that wasn't properly cleared, but Darryl Flahaven was on hand to gather.

Anthony Gerrard was booked for a foul on the edge of the area and the resulting free-kick from the far side was curled goalwards, but Oakes managed to get a hand to the ball to clear for a corner. Ian Roper picked up a knock in the melee in front of goal, but thankfully the no-nonsense central defender was able to continue after treatment.

Clear-cut chances were few and far between at either end, but Walsall were looking solid and comfortable for much of the opening period. Just past the half-hour mark, Oakes did well to push out a long-range drive before Lawson headed the resulting corner just wide after finding space at the far post.

A final through-ball by Fitzgerald on 41 minutes found Barrowman in space inside the area, but his effort was blocked by Flahaven who was alert to the danger and quick off his line. The ball was delivered back into the danger zone by the on-loan Fitzgerald where Keates' header was easily gathered by Flahaven.

At the other end, Oakes did well to block Shaun Goater's shot as The Saddlers got numbers back to complete the clearance.

In the closing stages of the first half, two corners in quick succession for Kevan Broadhurst's side caused concern for the home side as firstly Fitzgerald had a powerful shot blocked in front of goal by Sodje, then Pablo Mills won a towering header but saw the ball fall narrowly wide.

The first chance of the second period fell to Southend as Lawson did well to fight off the attentions of Grant Smith near the by-line before cutting inside and hitting a shot from close range that Oakes was equal to as he made a fine save.

Osborn was the next Walsall player to see yellow following some pushing and shoving after he was brought crashing down and the referee failed to award the expected free-kick. The match officials soon had the incident under control.

As the half progressed, the home side started to pose more of a threat up front as The Saddlers' were made to work hard for each other in defence on a number of occasions. Lawson broke the offside trap on the right-hand side in the 64th minute and his low cross into the danger zone was mis-kicked by Luke Guttridge who had got himself in a good position in the middle.

Moments later, Smith put a low free-kick from just outside the area wide of the mark before Broadhurst decided to make his first change by replacing Fitzgerald with Kevin James.

Roper was booked on 71 minutes for a tackle from behind on former Saddler, Lee Bradbury to give The Shrimpers a free-kick in a dangerous position that skipper Keates bravely threw his body in front of to block well.

Keates was then involved in the action at the other end as he headed the ball back across goal after a corner was only half-cleared. His header found Mills on the far side who drove the ball back into the mix but the home side scrambled clear.

The Saddlers were given excellent backing by a boisterous away following who were impressed by the battling qualities displayed by the players who worked hard for wach other and proved to be a solid unit for much of the game.

A fine tackle by Roper with time running out denied Goater as he looked to stride through on goal. There were then a couple of changes by Walsall with time running out as Barrowman was replaced by James Constable and Michael Leary entered the action in place of Mark Wright.

The last real chance saw Kevin Maher head just over from a right-wing cross, but Walsall were good value for the point and clean sheet against another high-flying side.

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