THE SADDLERS came home from Hartlepool United with a share of the spoils in a 2-2 draw.

Sleet and snow greeted the kick-off on the north-east coast as Walsall made a purposeful start.

With five minutes on the clock, a corner from Sofiene Zaaboub found Anthony Gerrard in space inside the area but the windy conditions meant that he couldn't make a proper connection as the opportunity was lost.

At the other end, leading scorer, Joel Porter broke through for the home side only for Clayton Ince to force him wide as he fired into the side-netting.

Troy Deeney found Jabo Ibehre who in turn picked out Zaaboub and he shaped to carve open a shooting chance for himself, he was brought down just inside the area by Andy Monkhouse. Nothing was given as The Saddlers' players looked towards the referee.

Chris Hutchings' side look the lead on ten minutes when Zaaboub's fine cross picked out Deeney who side-footed home with much aplomb to given Lee-Barrett no chance.

The home side tried to hit back, but a free-kick lifted into the danger zone was scrambled clear.

On 21 minutes Zaaboub was fouled following some more positive play to give Walsall a free-kick in a good position which the returning skipper, Stephen Hughes could only fire into the defensive wall. The lively Zaaboub was felled again as he picked up the loose ball to present his side with yet another free-kick that he himself fired just over.

A high challenge by the experienced Richie Humphries on Alex Nicholls gave Walsall another free-kick, this time out wide, which ultimately came to nothing as Hartlepool cleared their lines without too much trouble.

Humphries' next involvement in the action came at the other end of the field as he dragged an effort wide from distance as the home side looked to get a hold of the game.

They eventually drew level nine minutes from the break when Ince did well to get a hand to Porter's low strike across goal but Anthony Gerrard failed to clear on the line and ended up putting the ball into his own net.

The half ended with the home side getting on top, so it was a relief to hear the half-time whistle.

Once more Walsall began with endeavour at the start of the second period, but it was Hartlepool who had the first chance when a dangerous ball across the face of goal by new-boy, Rene Lange, who was on as a half-time substitute, was cleared ahead of the awaiting Porter.

The Saddlers had lost their earlier tempo and in a bid to freshen things up, Sam Williams replaced Ibehre just past the hour-mark.

Within seconds of the change, Rhys Weston had to defend bravely to block as the home side created a shooting chance in front of goal. It wasn't long, though, until we fell behind as a poor kick by Ince against the wind was seized upon by Porter who rounded the 'keeper before slotting home to make it 2-1.

Walsall were causing all their own problems at this stage and Dwayne Mattis was booked for a high challenge on Gary Liddle as Humphries dinked the resuting free-kick into the area where Porter's header was saved by Ince.

Mark Bradley replaced Mattis before Zaaboub was booked for a foul.

The equaliser came with ten minutes to go as Bradley set Nicholls away down the right with a neat ball and he crossed perfectly for Williams who rose to head home his first goal for the club in front of the 110 travelling supporters.

The game was still very much in the balance in the closing stages with either side capable of nicking it. A potential counter-attack by The Saddlers broke down and ended with Lange heading just off target.

Then an excellent cross from Zaaboub saw Williams hand in the air to put another towering header inches over as the home side held their breath.

A fine tackle on the edge of the area by Gerrard denied Hartlepool in the last minute as the talented centre back brought the ball out of defence.

Humphries fired well over in stoppage time as honours ended even on a chilly February afternoon at Victoria Park.