THE SADDLERS were left to reflect on several missed chances as we came home from MK Dons pointless in a 1-0 defeat.

It was Walsall who were first to threaten when Steve Jones' low cross from the right was cleared ahead of Troy Deeney. Then in the fifth minute, a well-worked move just outside the area saw some space open up for Darren Byfield who fired narrowly wide from a good position.

The Saddlers were looking lively in the opening exchanges with Byfield in particular keeping the home defence on their toes as his low strike was gathered by Willy Gueret in The Dons' goal.

The home side were forced into making two substitutions within the opening 24 minutes as firstly David McCracken was forced off to be replaced by Luke Howell and then skipper, Dean Lewington also picked up a knock as Oscar Gobern got his chance.

Rene Gilmartin was alert to win the ball from Darren Powell a long way out of his area before Clayton McDonald was booked after Aaron Doran had got away from him down the right as his inviting cross was half-cleared by Dwayne Mattis.

With the home side looking to get a hold of the game, they took the lead just past the half-hour mark when Doran did well out wide once more and his cross was perfect for Jermaine Easter who had the simple task of turning the ball home from close range.

On 37 minutes, Byfield was presented with a glorious opportunity as he broke through with only Gueret to beat but the 'keeper made an important block. The resulting flag-kick saw the ball find its way to Mark Bradley who brought another smart stop out of the 'keeper as he drilled in a powerful low effort.

The early action of the second period saw McDonald forced to limp off as Manny Smith took his place.

Gilmartin got down well to save from Easter on 55 minutes, but it was Walsall who were seeing more of the ball and went close when Matt Richards fed Byfield inside the area and he managed to lift the ball over the 'keeper from an acute angle only to see the ball strike the post and rebound away from danger.

It was proving to be a frustrating afternoon for Byfield.

With the fit-again Peter Till on for Jones and Sam Parkin replacing Deeney, The Saddlers had Smith to thank for heading away Sam Baldock's drive from distance. The same player then saw a low strike land narrowly wide.

Right at the death, Till's teasing cross from the right found the head of Parkin but the ball flew over.

There was still time for Mark Hughes to be booked for dissent as Walsall came away with nothing from a game where we deserved at least a share of the spoils.

PHOTOS: Kevin Grice