Walsall Football Club

The early action saw Ben Purkiss get in a deep cross to the far side which was taken off the foot of Ashley Grimes as he lined up a strike at goal.

It was Walsall who were playing the better football early on, on what looks like a tricky surface.

With the travelling fans in good voice, Romaine Sawyers made room for a strike on the edge of the area which he fired over.

Some neat link-up play between Jordan Cook and Michael Cain sees the latter drag a low strike just wide. Then moments later, James Baxendale fires just wide from distance as the 'keeper scrambles across his goal.

After appeals for a home penalty had been waved away, a positive break by James Baxendale ended with him attempting to dink the ball over the advancing 'keeper but his effort was off target.

The Saddlers had to defend well, and in numbers, on a couple of occasions on the half-hour to deny our hosts.

A strike from distance by Michael Cain landed just inches wide.

As half-time approached, Richard O'Donnell saved well to push out an effort from Jim O'Brien.

It proved to be the last action as the half ended goalless.

The second period started with a good chance for Walsall as Cook was denied by the 'keeper from close range following a ball in from the right. Cook then saw a deft header flash wide in the next attack.

At the other end, a speculative effort from Gary Madine was well kept out by Richard O'Donnell.

Just past the hour and Ashley Grimes is replaced by Anthony Forde.

There was a spell of pressure from The Sky Blues as firstly John Fleck's shot through a crowd was saved before a teasing cross was scrambled clear as the resulting corner was headed straight at O'Donnell by Madine.

With 76 minutes on the clock Mathieu Manset replaced James Baxendale.

The game petered out after that as it ended goalless with another clean sheet for The Saddlers.