THE SADDLERS came home from a sunny but chilly Priestfield Stadium with a share of the spoils from a goalless draw against Gillingham.

A neat move on the left by Walsall in the seventh minute ended with former Gill, Darren Byfield making room for an ambitious strike from distance that flew well wide of the mark.

Chris Hutchings' men were not allowing their hosts to get into their stride early on and a corner on ten minutes caused problems for Gillingham as Clayton McDonald saw his header blocked from close range by Alan Julian who then denied Troy Deeney as the loose ball was scrambled clear from in front of goal as Byfield looked to profit.

At the other end, Manny Smith did well to block from Simeon Jackson and as the resulting corner eventually fell out to Jack Payne, his long-range strike was saved by Clayton Ince.

Jackson sliced an effort wide from a good position as the home side attempted to get a hold in the game as the first half progressed, but real goalscoring chances were few and far between at either end.

With half-time approaching, Jackson broke the offside trap but Smith did enough to get back and put him off his stride as the strike was gathered by a grateful Ince.

There was still time for an appeal for a Walsall penalty right at the end of the half as Byfield went down, whilst at the other end, Jackson poked an effort goalwards only for Ince to claim.

The second period started with Andy Barcham curling a shot towards goal but it lacked the necessary power.

Some good link-up play between Byfield and Rhys Weston on the right ended with the latter delivering an inviting cross that was cleared for a corner that was curled onto the head of skipper, Dwayne Mattis only for his effort to be deflected just wide.

Byfield then fed Mattis whose snap-shot flew over as he found some space inside the area/

There was a glorious chance for the home side at the other end when Rene Howe received a pass from Jackson only for the impressive Smith to get in a vital block.

After Deeny had gone close, Richard Taundry replaced Mark Bradley.

On 68 minutes, Barcham played through leading scorer, Jackson who closed in on goal only for Clayton McDonald to this time make a superb challenge at the vital moment.

In the next attack, Ince had to be brave to save at the feet of Jackson and got a knock for his troubles that required attention from physio, Jason Chidwick, who was also called upon to treat McDonald who was still feeling the effects of his interception moments earlier.

Alex Nicholls came on for Till as some more excellent defensive play by Smith denied Jackson before an important block on the line by a combination of Jamie Vincent and Ince saved the day after the'keeper couldn't hold a Howe effort.

As the clock ticked down, Deeney found Nicholls in space on the right but as he cut inside, his curling attempt lacked the necessary power to trouble Julian too much.

There were shooting chances for Deeney and Taundry right at the end which were blocked as Mattis blazed the rebound into the travelling contingent as honours ended even. in our second stalemate of the season against Gillingham.

PHOTOS: Kevin Grice