THE SADDLERS' youth team shared the spoils with Wrexham at the weekend in a 1-1 draw.

"We suffered an early set-back when Malvind Benning was stretchered off within the opening minute before Will Mellors-Blair sustained an ankle injury that forced him out of the action on 25 minutes," said Head of Youth, Dean Smith. "We didn't play with the fluidity or move the ball as quickly as we did in the previous game.

"Our visitors were full of energy and pressed us high up the pitch, but we managed to get our noses in front around ten minutes from the break when a free-kick from Jack Cresswell found the head of Connor Deards who made no mistake.

"In all fairness, it was an undeserved lead for us at the break and the second period started in a similar vein with Wrexham on the front-foot and having the majority of possession.

"That said, we still had chances to extend our lead before Wrexham forced an equaliser late on.

"We still tried to pass the ball but the quality was not as good as previously. Nevertheless it is pleasing to see the lads trying to do the right things."

WALSALL: Wren, D. Cresswell, Benning (Haynes), J. Cresswell, Hayes, Tank, Mellors-Blair (Wellings), Forde, Deards (Williams), Butlin, Jones.